Global seaborne coal shipments fall 24% w-o-w to 4-month low

• Australian exports fall 35% amid maintenance at key terminals
• Indonesian volumes fall 12% on softer cargo nominations

Global seaborne coal shipments fell sharply by 24.1% w-o-w to 15.3 million tonnes (mnt) in the week ended 10 July 2026, the lowest level since Week 10 (28 Feb-06 Mar) of CY’26, data maintained with BigMint shows.

The decline was broad-based across major exporting nations, with weaker cargo availability, lighter loading programmes, and rail-related constraints weighing on shipments. Australia, Indonesia, South Africa, Colombia, and Canada all reported lower export volumes, while the US bucked the trend with marginally firmer shipments supported by steady cargo nominations and smooth terminal operations.

Country-wise trends

Port & shipper-wise trends

Pacific flows

• Australian shipments totalled 5.32 mnt, led by Newcastle (2.22 mnt), Gladstone (1.27 mnt) and DBCT (0.74 mnt). Japan (1.62 mnt) and China (1.16 mnt) remained the key destinations, while Glencore (0.92 mnt) was the leading shipper.
• Indonesian shipments stood at 5.98 mnt, with Taboneo (1.28 mnt) and Samarinda (0.73 mnt) emerging as the major loading hubs. China (1.63 mnt) and India (0.82 mnt) dominated cargo flows, while Jhonlin Group (0.92 mnt) and Adaro Indonesia (0.72 mnt) were the leading shippers.
• Canadian shipments reached 0.61 mnt, driven by Roberts Bank (0.53 mnt) and Vancouver (0.08 mnt). South Korea (0.30 mnt) and Japan (0.24 mnt) were the major destinations.

Atlantic flows

• South African shipments stood at 1.27 mnt, entirely through Richards Bay (1.27 mnt), with India (0.56 mnt) and Pakistan (0.26 mnt) emerging as the key destinations.
• US shipments totalled 1.41 mnt, led by Norfolk (0.65 mnt) and New Orleans (0.38 mnt). The Netherlands (0.21 mnt) remained the key destination.
• Colombian shipments reached 0.77 mnt, primarily from Puerto Bolivar (0.30 mnt) and Puerto Nuevo (0.30 mnt). Cerrejon Mines (0.30 mnt) and Prodeco Group (0.30 mnt) led shipments, while Mexico (0.11 mnt) and Bonaire (0.11 mnt) were the key destinations.

Coal freight sentiment mixed as Panamax firms, Supramax remains cautious

India-bound coal freights displayed a mixed trend during the week, with Panamax routes finding support from improved Atlantic cargo activity and tighter prompt vessel availability.

Supramax sentiment, however, remained cautious as muted Indonesian cargo demand and ample tonnage continued to weigh on the Pacific market. Bunker fuel movements continued to influence freight negotiations.

Outlook

Global coal shipments may remain under pressure in the near term unless cargo programmes recover across key Pacific exporters. Australian exports will continue to be influenced by terminal maintenance schedules, while Indonesian loadings will depend on fresh buying interest from Asia. Atlantic cargo flows are expected to remain comparatively resilient, supported by steady US exports and improving South African rail logistics.