India Coal Imports Rise 3% in Dec’16

India’s total coal imports rise marginally by 3% in Dec’16. Besides, monthly import recorded a downfall of 17% Y-o-Y.

Post experiencing a consecutive fall in coal imports since couple of months, India witnessed its marginal rise in Dec’16. The 2nd largest dry fuel importer across the globe, has mark the coal imports to 17.8 MnT (pet coke included) during the month. The imports had attained with a slight growth of 3% compared to Nov’16. In contrast, total yearly coal imports have witnessed a sharp downfall by 17% from 20.2 MnT in Dec’15.

Domestic supply disruption, poor domestic grade and lack of material availability in the global market resulted into comparatively fast trade in India for Dec’16 delivery (rise in Nov’16 shipments).

On the other side, conventionally India follows a trend in December coal imports and witnessed a sharp rise in imports, compared to November ever year. But this year the coal imports have attained a marginal growth only by 3% in Dec’16 on the wake of demonetisation issue and sharp hike in global prices during the period.

As per SteelMint’s data analysis, out of the total imports, the country imported 11.5 MnT non-coking coal, 4 MnT coking coal and about 0.4 MnT coke & anthracite in Dec’16. While, 0.9 MnT Pet coke (down by 26%) imported was majorly supplied by USA and Saudi Arabia.

Source: SteelMint
Quantity in MnT
Major exporting countries to India in Dec’16
Indonesia, the biggest conventional source of the country, supplied about 7.7 MnT of coal, registered a growth of 8% against Nov’16. Moreover, India purchased most of its coal from countries such as Indonesia, Australia, South Africa, USA, Mozambique and Canada in Dec’16.

Major discharging ports and importers in Dec’16
Mundra, India’s biggest Port in dry fuel handling, received the highest volume of 2.8 MnT with a growth of 9% in Dec’16. Other ports of the country namely Kandla, Krishnapatnam and Paradip received 1.3 MnT, 1.2 MnT and 1.1 MnT coal respectively.

Indian companies like Adani Power, CGPL, SAIL, JSW Steel, Adani Enterprises and Tata Steel imported large quantities of about 1.3 MnT, 1.3 MnT, 1.2 MnT, 1.1 MnT, 1 MnT and 0.7 MnT respectively in Dec’16.

Source: SteelMint
Quantity in MnT