According to the data provided by Indian Port Association (IPA), coal imports at the country’s 12 major ports have decreased 6% on the month to 10.399 MnT in Aug’19 against 11.062 MnT in Jul’19.
The 12 major ports of India listed under IPA include: Kolkata (Kolkata and Haldia dock both combined), Paradip, Visakhapatnam, Kamajar (Ennore), Chennai, V O Chidambaranar, Cochin, New Mangalore, Mormugao, Mumbai, J.N.P.T and Kandla (now Deendayal).
Muted seasonal demand had lowered the appetite for coal intake at the ports, as volumes of both thermal and metallurgical coal extended their fall on the monthly basis.
Imports of thermal and steam grade of coal had dropped to its lowest total for FY20, noted at 5.643 MnT in Aug’19 against 5.983 MnT in Jul’19.
While imports of coking and other grade of coal stood 4.756 MnT in Aug’19, down 6% M-o-M from 5.079 MnT in Jul’19.
Total Coal Shipments Received in FY20:
Total coal shipments handled at the major ports declined 4% Y-o-Y to 63.648 MnT during the first 5 months of FY20 (Apr-Aug’19) compared with 66.282 MnT noted in Apr-Aug’18 period, weighted down by a weaker receipt of thermal coal shipments.
Notably, thermal coal imports received at the major ports have fallen 13% Y-o-Y to 38.69 MnT in the 5-month period, whereas Coking & other coal grades’ imports have posted a positive growth of 15% in the same time-frame.
Among the individual ports, Paradip handled the highest coal volume of 17.169 MnT during Apr-Aug’19. However, coal intake at the port was down 11% Y-o-Y from 19.306 MnT noted in Apr-Aug’18.
Kolkata emerged as the second-largest coal receiver in the 5-month period, with receipt of 8.98 MnT coal.
Barring JNPT, Cochin and Chennai ports which generally do not handle coal shipments; four ports namely-Paradip, Ennore, Vizag and New Mangalore, had posted a y-o-y fall in coal receipt during the 5-month period.
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