As per the vessel line-up data compiled by CoalMint Research, Bangladesh coal imports have increased 30% on the month to 399,300 MT in Apr’18 compared with 308,118 MT in Mar’18.
The surge in monthly coal imports has come against the import trend that was seen for the past couple of years. The country had previously witnessed lower coal imports during Apr-May, as the monsoon season draws close during the period.
The country’s coal import had been falling on the monthly basis in April. In CY16, coal imports had dropped from 318,050 MT in Mar’16 to 122,100 MT in Apr’16. Similarly in CY17, import was down from 255,570 MT in Mar’17 to 44,000 MT in Apr’17.
However, this year, Bangladesh coal imports have improved on the monthly basis in Apr’18, to compensate for the loss when the country had managed imports of mere 55,000 MT coal in Feb’18.
The rise in imports can be viewed as an effort to build back sufficient stock of imported coal before the monsoon period, when no coal is imported during Jun-Jul period.
Country-wise Coal Imports:
Indonesia remain the preferred market for coal buyers in Bangladesh. The country had imported 8 coal vessels in Mar’18, 6 of them were from Indonesia.
Coal import from Indonesia increased 14% M-o-M to 289,400 MT in Mar’18, compared with 253,210 MT in Feb’18. Import from South Africa was 54,900 MT.
Bangladesh had also received its first coal shipment from Mozambique, for the CY18. Coal quantity of 55,000 MT was imported from Mozambique via a vessel named ‘Heroic Striker’ in Apr’18.
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