Japanese coal imports have fallen 14% on the month to 15.95 MnT in Aug’19, weighted down by the hefty coal intake recorded in the previous month. Apparently, import volume of 18.46 MnT in Jul’19 was noted highest over the 2018-19 period.
Besides, a collapse in Australian coal receipts and lower thermal power generation had also slashed Japanese coal imports during the month.
Data provided by Japanese customs indicates that coal imports in Aug’19 were marked 13% lower on the year from 18.37 MnT in Aug’18, thus attaining the largest y-o-y drop for CY19.
Over the course of the first 8 months of CY19 (Jan-Aug’19), Japanese coal imports have reached 127.04 MnT, down 2% Y-o-Y from 130 MnT noted in the same period of CY18.
Grade-wise Coal Imports:
Japan’s non-coking coal imports dropped 16% M-o-M to 10.56 MnT in Aug’19 from 12.58 MnT noted in Jul’19.
Australian Energy and Mineral Resources had highlighted in its report that Japanese thermal coal imports are expected to experience a temporary boost through to early 2020. However, despite the short-term gains, the longer-term trend for imports is likely to drift slightly downwards, driven by ongoing nuclear restarts.
Imports of coking coal had decreased 10% M-o-M to 3.6 MnT in Aug’19 as against 4.01 MnT in Jul’19.
Among the major coal grades, only Anthracite coal intake had gone up during Aug’19, which were marked 48% higher on the month at 0.62 MnT.
| Grades | Aug’19 | Jul’19 | % Change |
| Non Coking Coal | 10.56 | 12.58 | -16% |
| Coking Coal | 3.6 | 4.01 | -10% |
| Anthracite | 0.62 | 0.42 | 48% |
| Pet Coke | 0.29 | 0.52 | -44% |
| Met Coke | 0.04 | 0.14 | -71% |
| Others | 0.84 | 0.79 | 6% |
| Grand Total | 15.95 | 18.46 | -14% |
Source: Japanese customs
Quantity in MnT
Major Coal Exporters:
Japan’s largest coal exporter-Australia, witnessed a 16% drop in monthly coal supplies during Aug’19. Australian coal exports fell to 8.99 MnT in Aug’19 as against 10.74 MnT in Jul’19, which were also marked 18% lower on the year from 10.99 MnT in Aug’18.
Indonesian coal exports decreased 13% M-o-M to 2.36 MnT in Aug’19 compared with 2.72 MnT in Jul’19.
Japan’s continued efforts to diversify sources of import, had slashed its coal sourcing from major suppliers Australia and Indonesia, both of which had lost market share to Russia, Canada and the US. Notably, during the first 8-month period of CY19, both Australia and Indonesia have witnessed near about 5% y-o-y decline in coal shipments delivered to Japan.
Russian coal exports to Japan had increased 8% M-o-M to 2 MnT, attaining a 9-month high total in Aug’19. However, supplies from Canada and US were down m-o-m in Aug’19.
Leave a Reply