Japan coal imports in CY17 has surpassed the previous year’s total , on the back of highest monthly coal intake in Dec’17.
According to the data provided by Customs, Japan coal imports have recorded a minor increase of 1% Y-o-Y to 199.32 MnT in CY17, compared with 197.19 MnT in CY16. The country had managed to cross its import total of CY16, with record coal intake during Dec’17.
Coal imports in Dec’17 had witnessed a growth of 14% M-o-M to 19.25 MnT, which was also the highest monthly import since Dec’10, as per the data compiled by CoalMint research.
Grade-wise Coal Imports:
Non-Coking coal imports had increased 3% Y-o-Y to 133.8 MnT in CY17, while coking coal imports had fell by 3% to 42.01 MnT.
Japan had received the highest shipments of Non-Coking coal and Coking coal for the CY17, in the month of Dec’17.
Australian energy and Resources quarterly report has suggested that Japan’s thermal coal imports were unlikely to show substantial growth in the next two years. As the country would continue to bring its nuclear power fleet back on line gradually, also renewable sources were expected to provide a rising source of energy for Japan’s power needs.
Among the other major coal grades; imports of Anthracite and Pet coke had improved over the year, whereas Met coke imports had fell 50% Y-o-Y to 1.15 MnT in CY17.
| Grade | 2017 | 2016 | % Change |
| Non Coking Coal | 133.8 | 130.05 | 3% |
| Coking Coal | 42.01 | 43.3 | -3% |
| Anthracite | 6.41 | 5.94 | 8% |
| Pet Coke | 5.27 | 5.09 | 4% |
| Met Coke | 1.15 | 2.29 | -50% |
| Others | 10.66 | 10.51 | 1% |
| Grand Total | 199.31 | 197.19 | 1% |
Quantity in MnT | Source: Japanese Customs
Major Coal Exporters:
Source: Japanese Customs
Australia remained the top coal exporter to Japan in CY17. However, coal exports from the country fell 2% Y-o-Y to 119.13 MnT in CY17.
Indonesia, the second-largest coal exporter, had also witnessed a minor drop of 1% in coal supplies to Japan. Indonesian had exported 32.08 MnT in CY17 compared with 32.4 MnT in CY16.
Russia, the third-largest coal exporter, had noted an increase of 1% in coal exports to 18.19 MnT in CY17.
US had recorded the significant improvement in exports during the year. The country had exported 12.08 MnT coal to Japan with an increase of 37% Y-o-Y. Canada, China, Colombia and Mozambique were among the other major coal exporters during the year.
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