Indian coal import fell by 15% in February to 16.4 MnT. The country’s yearly coal import also recorded a fall of 10% in the month.
India, the world’s 3rd largest coal importer, has reported a fall of 15% in Feb ’16. The country has imported about 16.4 MnT coal during the month, which was 19.4 MnT in Jan’16. It has recorded the sharpest fall and the 2nd lowest quantity imported by the country in FY16 (till Feb’16). Also, the monthly import is 10% Y-o-Y lower than Feb’15 import.
| Grade | Feb’16 | Jan’16 | %Change |
| Non-coking coal | 12.55 | 14.88 | -16% |
| Coking coal | 3.45 | 4.22 | -18% |
| Metcoke | 0.34 | 0.26 | 33% |
| Anthracite | 0.07 | 0.06 | 14% |
| Grand Total | 16.42 | 19.42 | -15% |
Import in India, one of the major dry fuel consumers across the globe, has fallen due to the mixed sentiments prevailing in domestic as well as global market. Rise in coal availability by CIL, steady demand, constant depreciating INR against USD and Indian budget announcement in March had restricted buyers for more bookings in Feb’16.
Although, India has been showing a recurrent downturn movement in February imports amid slow trade activities during the period, importers are profound for awaited Indian budget in March for new announcements and tariffs.
Major exporting countries to India in Feb’16
India purchases most of its coal from major supplier countries such as Indonesia, Australia, South Africa, USA, China, Saudi Arabia. These nations had supplied about 7.5 MnT, 3.4 MnT, 4 MnT, 0.6 MnT, 0.4 MnT and 0.4 MnT respectively to India.
Indonesia remains to be the top exporter of non-coking and supplied about 7.5 MnT; registered a fall of 27% against Jan’16. In February, India has imported about 0.38 MnT and 0.35 MnT of Pet Coke from USA and Saudi Arabia respectively.
Major discharging ports and importers in Feb’16
About 70% of coal was imported at key ports of the country. Among the major Indian ports, Paradip imported maximum quantity of about 1.7 MnT, followed by Krishnapatnam (1.6 MnT) and Mundra (1.5 MnT).
| Ports | Feb’16 | Jan’16 | %change |
| Paradip | 1.66 | 1.32 | 25% |
| Krishnapatnam | 1.63 | 1.36 | 19% |
| Mundra | 1.54 | 3.49 | -56% |
| Gangavaram | 1.26 | 1.53 | -18% |
| Kandla | 1.1 | 1.23 | -11% |
| Vizag | 1.04 | 1.09 | -5% |
| Dhamra | 0.93 | 1.39 | -33% |
| Mormugao | 0.84 | 1 | -17% |
| Haldia | 0.81 | 0.83 | -3% |
| Hazira | 0.8 | 0.76 | 4% |
| Ennore | 0.75 | 0.96 | -22% |
| Mangalore | 0.71 | 0.4 | 78% |
| Navlakhi | 0.55 | 0.41 | 35% |
| Dahej | 0.52 | 0.59 | -11% |
| Jaigarh | 0.33 | 0.29 | 14% |
| Karaikal | 0.32 | 0.3 | 5% |
| Bedi | 0.3 | 0.39 | -23% |
| Others | 1.35 | 2.07 | -35% |
| Grand total | 16.42 | 19.42 | -15% |
Companies like Adani Enterprises, JSW Steel, Adani Power, SAIL, Agarwal Coal, Coastal Gujarat Power, Essar Steel, RINL and Tata Steel imported large quantities of about 1.5 MnT, 1 MnT, 0.9 MnT, 0.8 MnT, 0.7 MnT, 0.7 MnT, 0.6 MnT, 0.5 MnT and 0.4 MnT respectively in Feb’16.
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