Indian Coal Import at its Peak in Nov’14

India, a significant player in global coal imports, has imported about 22.3 MnT of coal in Nov’14 with a considerable hike of 22% against last month.

India’s monthly coal imports have hit to its highest level in Nov’14. The country has been imported on an average of about 18.5 MnT coal since the beginning of FY15.

SteelMint learned that out of the total monthly imports, about 17.6 MnT was Thermal coal, 4.3 MnT was Coking and 0.33 MnT was Coke & Anthracite collectively.

SteelMint analyzed that coal imports have seen quick uptick on the background of few major issues held in the country.

1. SC’s final judgment on coal block cancellation has directly affected few Coking coal mines situated in Jharkhand. Closed Coking coal mines have hampered coal availability to manufacturers and forced them for imports to fulfill their requirement
2. In the month of Oct’14, the country had faced a cyclone named Hudhud, which hits few major ports based on East Coast and halted the port operations, which in turn has hampered the coal imports in Oct’14. Currently, the ports’ operations are on track and imports have increased compared to last month
3. Few vessels were assumed to deliver in Oct’14; had shifted for Nov’14 delivery owing to cyclone and vessel congestion at Indian ports

Indonesia, Australia & South Africa were the major coal suppliers at the end of the month. Indonesia remains to be the top exporter of Non-coking coal and supplied about 12.6 MnT; which has raised by 2.5% against Sep’14. Australia & South Africa had supplied about 4.3 MnT & 3.2 MnT of coal respectively. Coal supply from South Africa has increased by 77% in comparison to last month. In October, India has imported about 0.23 MnT of Met Coke from China.

Major Discharging Ports

About 70% of coal has been imported on major ports of the country. Mundra has imported maximum quantity i.e. about 3.4 MnT, followed by Gangavaram & Vizag ports, which have imported about 1.8 MnT & 1.7 MnT respectively.