South Korean coal imports have reached new highs with the import of 14.92 MnT coal in Sep’17, according to the customs data. Coal import in Sep’17 is the highest monthly total since CY10 (the period upto which CoalMint has maintained customs data).
Increased power generation from Coal-fired plants along with restocking requirements ahead of winter season have contributed to the achievement of this feat. Import in Sep’17 was 11% higher on the month compared with 13.46 MnT in Aug’17, besides a year-on-year increase of 14% compared with 13.08 MnT in Sep’16.
Total Coal imports during the nine months of CY17 (Jan’17-Sep’17) has increased 10% to 115.26 MnT, compared with the imports of 104.35 MnT coal in Jan’16-Sep’16 period.
Grade-wise Coal Imports in Sep’17:
Non-Coking coal imports rose 11% M-o-M to 10.77 MNT in Sep’17, had a share of 72% in the country’s total coal imports.
Coking coal imports jumped 39% M-o-M to 2.41 MnT. Of the other major coal grades, imports of Anthracite and Met coke both have increased during the month while Pet coke imports fell 13% M-o-M to 0.27 MnT in Sep’17.
| Grade | Sep’17 | Aug’17 | M-o-M |
| Non Coking Coal | 10.77 | 9.67 | 11% |
| Coking Coal | 2.41 | 1.74 | 39% |
| Anthracite | 0.47 | 0.45 | 4% |
| Pet Coke | 0.27 | 0.31 | -13% |
| Met Coke | 0.04 | 0.03 | 33% |
| Others | 0.95 | 1.26 | -25% |
| Grand Total | 14.92 | 13.46 | 11% |
Source: Korean Customs
Quantity in MnT
Major Coal Exporters:
Australia supplied the highest coal shipments to Korea in Sep’17. Exports from Australia was 4.58 MnT up 4% M-o-M, but was 1% lower on the year than the exports of 4.61 MnT in Sep’16.
Indonesian coal exports to Korea rose to the highest monthly total of 4.54 MnT for CY17, increasing 22% M-o-M in Sep’17.
Russia was the third-largest coal exporter in Sep’17. However, export from the country fell 2% M-o-M to 2.53 MnT, besides recording a decline of 16% Y-o-Y compared with 3.02 MnT in Sep’16.
Source: Korean Customs
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