According to the vessel line-up data compiled by CoalMint Research, Indian non-coking coal imports have decreased 6% on the month to 15.01 MnT in Jun’18.
Coal imports have slightly come down from the previous month’s total of 16.04 MnT in May’18, which notably was the highest monthly import recorded during 2017-18 period. However, the stern demand for power has kept imports rising on the year-on year basis.
Import in Jun’18 was 22% higher on the year compared with 12.28 MnT coal in May’17. Besides, during the first 6 months of CY18 (Jan’18-Jun’18), the country has imported 84.14 MnT non-coking coal, which is 15% more than the corresponding period’s total of 72.86 MnT recorded in CY17.
The rise in coal imports has certainly come up as a big blow to the government’s plan to save a considerable amount in foreign exchange, as the shortfall in domestic coal supply coupled with thermal power generating units operating beyond their scheduled target, has pushed non-coking coal imports higher.
During Apr’18-May’18 period, power generation at the thermal plants was recorded 189.84 BU (Billion Units), up 3.72% than its scheduled target of 183.026 BU to bridge the supply gap left by hydro units.
Hydro power generation had only attained 89% of its target of 20.447 BU during Apr’18-May’18. The power ministry has not provided the generation figures for Jun’18.
After a period of high imports, demand for imported coal is expected to fall during the rainy season. However, in order to ensure adequate availability of coal stock at power plant, the domestic coal miner CIL has urged the power plants not to restrict coal intake during the monsoon period when demand for power drops, but to use it as an opportunity to build stock to cope with the subsequent increase in power demand.
Coal stock at the power plants was recorded 12% lower on the year at 19.084 MnT in May’18 against 21.806 MnT in May’17.
Major Coal Exporter in Jun’18:
Indian coal imports from all its major supplier had fell on the monthly basis in Jun’18 except from Australia and Colombia.
Indonesian coal export to India was down 2% M-o-M to 9.16 MnT in Jun’18, but was 16% higher on the year from 7.89 MnT in Jun’17.
South African coal export to India decreased 11% M-o-M to 3 MnT in Jun’18, which was also 8% lower on the year from 3.27 MnT in Jun’17.
Source: CoalMint Research, Vessel line-up data | Quantity in MnT
During Jun’18, highest non-coking coal shipment was discharged at Mundra port (2.263 MnT), while Adani Enterprise remained the largest coal receiver.
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