Bangladesh Coal Import Shipments Down by 45% M-o-M in Apr’20

Coal buyers in Bangladesh have curtailed their import purchase during Apr’20, after stocking-up adequate volume in the previous month.

The vessel line-up data compiled by CoalMint reveals that the country imported 0.6 MnT coal in Apr’20, down by 45% M-o-M from 1.1 MnT in Mar’20.

COVID-19 seems to have insignificant effect on Bangladesh coal business as the buyers aggressively booked shipments prior to Mar’20. Incidentally, the monthly intake was the highest since Jul’18 (the period from which CoalMint started tracking Bangladesh coal vessel line-up).

Additionally, the imports during Apr’20 had noted a two-fold increase than the levels attained a year-ago, despite recording a fall on M-o-M basis.

Country-wise Share in Imports:

While, the entire monthly intake was procured from Indonesia in Mar’20; coal receipt from the country decreased by 55% M-o-M in Apr’20.

Bangladesh resumed coal intake from South Africa in Apr’20, whereas a shipment of 54,130 MT coal was brought in from Mozambique, after a gap of five months.

Quantity in MT

After receiving coal shipments of 2.86 MnT in the first four months of CY20 (Jan-Apr), country’s imports are likely to be subdued in the upcoming months on the arrival of monsoon, which is generally considered an off-season for the brick manufacturers.