According to the vessel line-up data compiled by CoalMint Research, Indian non-coking coal imports have witnessed remarkable growth of 19% on the month during May’18, to achieve its highest monthly total since Jun’15.
Non-coking coal import stood 16.04 MnT in May’18 against 13.49 MnT in Apr’18, which was also 17% higher on the year compared with the import of 13.77 MnT in May’17.
The need to restock coal before the monsoon season and a spurt in demand for power had incite higher imports in May’18, wherein the major power producers using imported coal had recorded growth in imports during the month.
Coastal Gujarat power had recorded 95% increase in imports, Semb Corp Gayathri power by 103%, JSW Energy by 50%, a similar growth was also seen in TANGEDCO and Essar power’s import in May’18.
During the first 5 months of CY18 (Jan’18-May’18), Indian non-coking coal imports totaled 69.13 MnT, with an increase of 14% Y-o-Y compared with the imports of 60.57 MnT in Jan’17-May’17.
Major Coal Exporters:
Indonesia remained the largest non-coking coal exporter May’18, attaining its highest monthly export to India since Dec’17. Coal export from Indonesia had increased 22% M-o-M to 9.38 MnT in May’18, which was also 22% higher on the year compared with 8.82 MnT in May’17.
Indian buyers had witnessed a spurt in demand for Indonesian coal after waiting too long for the prices to fall. In the wake of Chinese winter coal stocking, Indonesian coal prices had increased to a multi-year high in Feb’18. However, with the prices softening in Mar’18, higher coal buying was seen among the buyers.
As per CoalMint’s assessment, monthly average price of Indonesian 4200 GAR coal had fell 9% on the month to USD 47/MT in Mar’18 compared with USD 51.15/MT in Feb’18.
South Africa was the second-largest coal exporter in May’18. Coal export from the country had increased 24% M-o-M to 3.39 MnT in May’18, but was slightly lower on the year from 3.44 MnT in May’17.
US was the third-largest non-coking coal exporter. Country’s coal supply to India had increased 188% Y-o-Y to 1.38 MnT in May’18. US coal market has emerged as an alternative source to Indonesian and South African coal for Indian buyers.
Source: CoalMint Reaserch, Vessel Line-up data | Quantity in MnT
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