South Africa: Coal Shipment from RBCT Down 9% M-o-M in Jul’19

According to the vessel line-up data compiled by CoalMint Research, coal shipment delivered from South Africa’s premium port Richards Bay (RBCT) have decreased 9% on the month to 5.45 MnT in Jul’19 compared with 6.01 MnT in Jun’19.

Despite the up-tick seen in monthly coal deliveries to India, demand for South African coal has remained tepid comparable with the previous months. Notably, Indian demand typically eases with the monsoon season, which runs from June to September, when heavy rainfall slows construction and industrial activity.

RBCT’s coal supplies to India were marked 6% higher on the month at 3.3 MnT during Jul’19 against 3.12 MnT in Jun’19, slightly gaining from the drastic fall in coal prices which have largely remained under pressure in CY19.

RBCT coal loading to Pakistan fell after noting its highest monthly total in Jun’19, declining 8% M-o-M to 0.84 MnT in Jul’19.

Various measures implemented by South Korea to reduce its reliance on coal power, has drastically lowered the country’s coal sourcing from RBCT.

According to data released by the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, Korea’s reliance on coal for energy supply has decreased from 41.7% in the first half of CY18 to 37.7% in the same period this year.

During the month of Jul’19, Korean imports had fallen to its lowest mark since Oct’18, noted at 0.16 MnT.

Vietnam emerged as the third-largest coal receiver from RBCT after India and Pakistan. Country’s import volume remained broadly stable m-o-m at 0.37 MnT in Jul’19.

Major Coal Receivers

Source: CoalMint Research
Quantity in MnT

Over the course of the first 7 months of CY19 (Jan-Jul’19), coal volumes shipped from RBCT has reached 43.88 MnT, down 2% Y-o-Y from 44.89 MnT recorded in same period of last year.