Pakistan has witnessed steep fall in coal imports during Aug’18 after recording its highest ever total in Jul’18.
Most of the coal demand in the country arises directly from the end plant users, which procure their vessel on need basis. The high levels of imports reported in Jul’18, had certainly weighted on country’s coal sourcing in Aug’18. During the month, Cement sector had reportedly taken 56% lesser coal than the preceding month.
Besides, the general assembly elections may also have affected the coal buying in the country, as the industrialists were waiting for results.
According to the vessel line-up data compiled by CoalMint Research, Coal import by the country was down 37% M-o-M to 1,234,333 MT in Aug’18 compared with 1,946,638 MT in Jul’18. Imports were still 14% higher on the year from 1,080,174 MT in Aug’17.
Pakistan’s coal imports have been rising in CY18. In fact, the country’s import has already attained the 10 MnT mark during the first 8 months of CY18, the level which was achieved in the whole of CY17.
Coal Imports during Jan’18-Aug’18 period has totaled 10,736,076 MT, up 43% Y-o-Y from 7,253,843 MT recorded in the same period last year.
The ban on coal unloading at Karachi port seems to be strictly followed in Aug’18, as only one coal vessel was reported at the port, while rest of the shipments were unloaded at Port Qasim.
Country-wise Coal Imports:
During the month of Jul’18, Pakistan had sourced coal from the US, Ukraine and Mexico, in addition to its traditional import markets to meet the increased demand.
However, the month of Aug’18 had seen imports coming only from the preferred markets of South Africa, Indonesia, Mozambique and Russia.
South African coal accounted nearly 60% of the total monthly imports, which were marked at 756,780 MT in Aug’18. Monthly imports were down 26% M-o-M from 1,027,848 MT in Jul’18.
Indonesian coal shipments coming to the country fell 39% M-o-M to 318,603 MT in Aug’18 compared with 523,320 MT in Jul’18. Imports from Mozambique and Russia were recorded at 103,950 MT and 55,000 MT respectively during the month.
Source: CoalMint Research
Major Coal Receivers:
Port Qasim power and Huaneng Shendong Ruyi operator of Sahiwal power plant remained the top two major coal importers, which had taken nearly half of the total imports in Aug’18.
Imports by Port Qasim plant dropped 9% M-o-M to 377,646 MT, but Huaneng Ruyi had seen imports rising by 13% M-o-M to 301,897 MT in Aug’18.
Lucky Cement, FEBL power, D G Khan Cement were the other major coal receivers during the month.
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