Australia: Coking coal exports recover in Mar’25 as supply disruptions ease

• Exports to India up over 100% m-o-m in Mar’25
• Australian coal prices dip $13/t m-o-m

Australia’s coking coal exports experienced a significant 52.7% m-o-m recovery in March 2025, with total shipments recorded at 13.74 million tonnes (mnt) against 8.99 mnt in February. Also, exports rose by 7.1% from 12.83 mnt in March 2024. Shipments increased after supply disruptions from weather-related disturbances in February eased gradually.

Exports to key markets rise

Exports to key markets such as India, China, Taiwan, and South Korea saw a notable uptick. Shipments to India rose significantly by 103.7% to 3.33 mnt in March from 1.63 mnt in February. Exports to China rose by 34.8% to 0.64 mnt from 0.48 mnt. Shipments to Taiwan increased sharply by 125% to 0.61 mnt from 0.27 mnt, while exports to South Korea rose by 8.7% to 1.43 mnt from 1.31 mnt.

Port-wise performance

Australia’s coal terminals also reflected this growth, with most ports seeing a rise in export activity. Dalrymple Bay Coal Terminal (DBCT) experienced an 81.6% rise in shipments to 4.36 mnt. Shipments from Gladstone Port increased by 14.9%, totalling 3.89 mnt, while Hay Point Port saw a surge of 54.6% to 3.27 mnt.

Abbot Point Port recorded a substantial 146.8% rise, with exports rising to 1.74 mnt. Port Kembla saw a 42.5% rise, handling a total of 0.46 mnt. In contrast, Newcastle Port witnessed a significant decrease, with exports dropping by 67.4% to a mere 0.02 mnt.

Prices edge down m-o-m

Australian coking coal prices dropped by $13/t m-o-m in March, reaching $174.84, impacted by a decline in metallurgical coke prices and a decrease in steel production in China.

Outlook

The short-term outlook suggests that Australian coking coal exports will remain strong due to continued demand from key markets, especially India. However, falling prices and challenges related to Chinese steel production may weigh on the market in the near term.