India, world’s third largest Coal importing and producing country’s Coal import jumped by 28% in FY15. The country imported about 52 MnT more Coal in this fiscal than in FY14.
India, one of the major global dry fuel importers, crossed the figure of 200 MnT in Coal imports and registered a jump of 28% in FY15. The country imported about 233 MnT of Coal in this fiscal; import in FY14 was about 181 MnT.
Coal Imports have risen over the past five years as India introduced additional power capacity to manage their electricity supply in all regions. Coal accounts for 68% of India’s electricity generation.
As per SteelMint’s data analysis, out of the total import, the country imported about 183 MnT Non-coking coal (up by 34%), 45.5 MnT Coking coal (up by 15%) and about 4 MnT Coke & Anthracite in FY15.
Top Exporting Countries
India buys most of its Coal from major supplier countries such as Indonesia, Australia, South Africa, China and Mozambique, supplied about 141.7 MnT, 46.7 MnT, 29 MnT, 2.3 MnT and 1.9 MnT respectively in FY15.
| Origin Country | FY15 | FY14 | %Change |
| Indonesia | 141.7 | 114.7 | 24% |
| Australia | 46.7 | 34.7 | 35% |
| South Africa | 29.1 | 19.7 | 48% |
| China | 2.3 | 2.1 | 11% |
| Mozambique | 1.9 | 1.2 | 50% |
| Russia | 1.3 | 0.8 | 52% |
| Canada | 1.1 | 0.2 | 373% |
| Usa | 1.0 | 4.3 | -77% |
| Chile | 0.6 | 0.9 | -33% |
| New Zealand | 0.5 | 0.7 | -24% |
| Others | 6.9 | 2.4 | 184% |
| Grand Total | 233.1 | 181.8 | 28% |
Quantity in MnT
Source: SteelMint
Major Discharging Ports & Importers in FY15
About 70% of Coal was imported at key ports of the country. Among the major Indian ports, Mundra imported the maximum quantity of about 38 MnT; followed by Krishnapatnam & Paradip Ports where 20 MnT & 16 MnT respectively was imported.
In India, companies like Adani Enterprises, Adani Power, JSW Steel, SAIL, Agarwal Coal & Coastal Guajrat Power etc. import huge quantities and play the most decisive role in Coal imports; these imported about 30 MnT, 20 MnT, 14 MnT, 12.5 MnT, 9.3 MnT and 9 MnT respectively in FY15.
Currently the international Coal export market is uncertain due to continuously declining prices, since lower purchase by China and their domestic pricing strategy depressed global prices. Although, this provided relief to importers. Constantly declining Coal prices over the globe coupled with India’s domestic issues resulted as increased in Indian imports in FY15.
The Coal Ministry too had earlier projected an increase in yearly Coal import for FY15. In the beginning of FY15, the government had estimated the country’s Coal demand at 787.03 MnT, because of capacity addition by many power companies to meet the continuously rising demand of electricity. Recently, the ministry also projected that constantly rising Coal imports of the country may reach about 265 MnT in FY17.
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