Indian coal imports have witnessed a monthly drop of 15% to 14.19 MnT in Jan’17. The coal imports have fallen to the lowest mark in Jan’17 since 13.02 MnT in Feb’14.
Indian Industries using coal as raw material preferred imported coal over domestic coal, but due to volatility in global coal prices and expensive import charges, they are now shifting their move towards domestic coal. Coal Imports were down by 15% M-o-M compared with 16.75 MnT in Dec’16.Besides, imports decreased by 31% Y-o-Y compared with 20.65 MnT in Jan’16. As per provisional data from SteelMint Research.
With CIL aggressively market its coal to the power sector and Indian Government plan to reduce coal imports, Coal imports have started to fall since Oct’16.
Due to the cancellation of coal blocks in 2014, the private sector was forced to use imported coal. Since then effective majors have been taken to reduce coal imports. The government is planning to allow commercial mining by private sectors by FY18.
Grade-wise Imports:
India majorly imports Non-coking coal from various countries followed by Coking coal, Pet coke, Met coke and Anthracite.
During Jan’17, 9.17 MnT Non-coking coal was imported down by 20% compared with 11.47 MnT in Dec’16. While imports of all other grades of coal fell, coking coal and anthracite coal imports recorded monthly improvement.
| Grade | Jan’17 | Dec’16 | %Change |
| Non-Coking | 9.17 | 11.47 | -20% |
| Coking | 4.01 | 3.97 | 1% |
| Pet Coke | 0.69 | 0.96 | -29% |
| Met Coke | 0.24 | 0.32 | -25% |
| Anthracite | 0.08 | 0.02 | 231% |
| Total | 14.19 | 16.75 | -15% |
Source: SteelMint Research
Quantities in MnT
Major Exporting Countries:
Indonesia was the top coal exporter to India followed by Australia, South Africa, USA and Saudi Arabia.
Indonesian coal is largely preferred by the private power sector, however, exports have declined by 13% M-o-M compared with 7.70 MnT in Dec’16. Yearly exports have also decreased by 39% compared with 10.99 MnT in Jan’16.
Quantity in MnT
Major Receiving Ports:
Major Coal receiving ports are Mundra, Krishnapatnam, Murmogao, Dhamra and Paradip.
Mundra received 1.94 Mnt coal in Jan’17, however, coal imports in Mundra port were down by 30% compared with 2.77 MnT in Dec’16.
| Ports | Jan’17 | Dec’16 | %Change |
| Mundra | 1.94 | 2.77 | -30% |
| Krishnapatnam | 1.23 | 1.17 | 5% |
| Mormugao | 1.22 | 0.88 | 39% |
| Dhamra | 1.13 | 0.90 | 24% |
| Paradip | 1.12 | 1.15 | -2% |
| Kandla | 0.93 | 1.32 | -30% |
| Ennore | 0.89 | 0.62 | 45% |
| Karaikal | 0.69 | 0.55 | 25% |
| Tuticorin | 0.63 | 1.10 | -43% |
| Vizag | 0.62 | 0.95 | -35% |
| Haldia | 0.57 | 0.92 | -39% |
| Dahej | 0.53 | 0.23 | 133% |
| Gangavaram | 0.49 | 0.98 | -51% |
| Mangalore | 0.43 | 0.68 | -36% |
| Others | 1.79 | 2.54 | -29% |
| Total | 14.19 | 16.75 | -15% |
Source: SteelMint Research
Quantities in MnT
Major Coal Receiving Companies:
JSW Steel imported 1.21 MnT of coal comprising 0.06 MnT Anthracite, 0.87 MnT Coking coal, 0.07 MnT Met coke, 0.13 MnT non-coking coal and 0.07 MnT pet coke.
Adani Power received major Non-coking coal consignment of 1.05 MnT for its power plants. While Tata steel were major coking coal receivers, with 0.95 MnT coal imports in Jan’17.
Leave a Reply