Global coal exports recover 11% w-o-w to a 4-week high as Indonesia, Colombia lift shipments

• Pacific exporters regain momentum on stronger Australian and Indonesian loadings
• Colombia leads Atlantic recovery despite softer South African and US shipments

Global seaborne coal exports rebounded 11% w-o-w to a four-week high of 19.33 million tonnes (mnt) in Week 31 (25-31 Jul’26), up from 17.42 mnt a week earlier, driven by stronger shipments from Indonesia, Colombia, Australia and Canada. Improved loading activity across Queensland and Kalimantan, coupled with healthy Asian buying and firmer Caribbean terminal throughput, more than offset softer exports from South Africa and the US, where rail constraints and measured metallurgical coal programmes continued to weigh on cargo availability.

Indonesia emerged as the largest exporter with 7.34 mnt, narrowly overtaking Australia (7.08 mnt). Colombia recorded the strongest weekly performance among Atlantic exporters, while Canada maintained broadly stable shipments. In contrast, South African exports remained constrained by weaker rail arrivals into Richards Bay, and US cargo programmes stayed measured amid restrained terminal nominations.

Australia and Indonesia lead Pacific coal shipments

• Australia shipped 7.08 mnt, led by Newcastle (2.32 mnt), Gladstone (1.72 mnt), and DBCT (1.32 mnt). Japan (1.95 mnt) remained the largest destination, closely followed by China (1.68 mnt) and South Korea (1.67 mnt). Glencore (0.77 mnt) and BHP (0.72 mnt) emerged as the leading shippers.
• Indonesia exported 7.34 mnt, with Taboneo (1.06 mnt), Samarinda (1.03 mnt), and Balikpapan (1.01 mnt) serving as the principal loading hubs. China (1.59 mnt) overtook India (1.49 mnt) as the largest importer, followed by the Philippines (0.76 mnt). Bayan Resources (1.01 mnt), Adaro Indonesia (0.79 mnt), and Jhonlin Group (0.78 mnt) led shipments.
• Canadian exports reached 0.95 mnt, supported by Roberts Bank (0.51 mnt) and Vancouver (0.32 mnt). South Korea (0.41 mnt) remained the leading destination, followed by Japan (0.23 mnt) and China (0.15 mnt), while Elk Valley Resources (0.32 mnt) topped the shipper rankings.

Atlantic Basin exports remain uneven

• South African shipments stood at 0.99 mnt, with Richards Bay accounting for the entire volume. India (0.34 mnt) was the principal destination during the assessment week.
• The US exported 1.47 mnt, led by Norfolk (0.60 mnt), New Orleans (0.32 mnt), and Baltimore (0.30 mnt). India (0.44 mnt) remained the key destination.
• Colombia shipped 1.50 mnt, with Puerto Nuevo (0.92 mnt) and Puerto Bolivar (0.32 mnt) handling the bulk of cargoes. Prodeco Group (1.04 mnt) and Cerrejon Mines (0.32 mnt) led shipper activity, while South Korea (0.23 mnt) emerged as the largest destination, followed by Poland (0.18 mnt).

Freight market remains split across vessel segments

India-bound dry bulk coal freight remained mixed during the assessment week. Panamax sentiment softened amid limited fresh cargo enquiries and ample vessel availability in the Pacific, while Supramax rates held relatively firm on selective cargo support and tighter tonnage in parts of the Indian Ocean. Higher bunker fuel costs continued to provide a floor to owners’ rate expectations despite cautious chartering activity and subdued buying interest. Overall, freight movements remained route-specific, with the Atlantic basin displaying greater resilience than the Pacific.

Outlook

Coal export performance is expected to remain closely tied to terminal throughput, rail logistics, and vessel availability across key exporting regions. Demand from major Asian buyers, together with freight market direction and bunker price trends, will continue to shape cargo movements and export programmes in the coming weeks.