- Hay Point leads recovery with 46% m-o-m growth
- Weipa, Abbot Point shipments rise; Mackay declines
Australian coal exports from key ports increased 20.9% m-o-m to 8.79 million tonnes (mnt) in August 2026, from 7.27 mnt in July, reversing the sharp decline recorded in the previous month. The recovery was led by Hay Point, while higher shipments from Weipa and Abbot Point further supported overall volumes. Mackay was the only port to register a decline.
The August rebound was supported by improving Asian coal procurement, with stronger thermal coal demand from China, Japan, South Korea and Taiwan, while India’s restocking could provide further support. Metallurgical coal sentiment also strengthened, driven by increased Chinese buying and domestic supply constraints, with Indian demand showing signs of recovery towards the month-end.
Port-wise export performance
- Hay Point: Shipments surged 45.5% m-o-m to 3.74 mnt from 2.57 mnt, recording the strongest absolute and percentage increase among the assessed ports. The recovery comes amid stronger demand for Australian coking coal, with Chinese buying returning to the seaborne market following domestic supply disruptions.
- Abbot Point: Shipments increased 6.7% m-o-m to 3.03 mnt from 2.84 mnt, extending the recovery from July. The moderate increase suggests that demand from Asian markets, particularly China and India, remained supportive.
- Weipa: Shipments rose 17.5% m-o-m to 1.75 mnt from 1.49 mnt, maintaining the growth trend seen in July. The increase indicates firmer cargo movement and improved terminal activity during August. The broader Australian market is seeing improving Asian demand, particularly as Indian coal procurement strengthens after the monsoon.
- Mackay: Shipments declined 27% m-o-m to 0.27 mnt from 0.37 mnt, making it the only assessed port to record a decline. The fall appears to reflect lower coal cargo activity at the port during August rather than a broader weakening in Queensland exports, as major North Queensland terminals recorded a strong recovery during the month.
Outlook
Australian coal exports are expected to remain firm in the near term, supported by stronger Chinese buying, improving Indian procurement and steady demand from Japan and South Korea. However, softer structural thermal-coal demand in China and mature Asian markets, alongside elevated prices, could limit sustained growth. For metallurgical coal, continued Chinese demand and India’s longer-term steel expansion provide a more supportive backdrop, although high prices and steelmaker margins remain key constraints.
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