According to the vessel line-up data compiled by CoalMint Research, Coal shipments from RBCT has fallen to a 12-month’s low of 6.31 MnT in Apr’18. With an annual capacity of 91 MnT, Richards Bay Coal Terminal (RBCT) is South Africa’s premium coal export terminal.
RBCT’s coal export had decreased 14% on the month to 6.31 MnT in Apr’18 compared with 7.37 MnT in Mar’18. But, exports were 15% higher on the year compared with 5.50 MnT in Apr’17.
After posting successive increase in monthly coal import since Jan’18, both Pakistan and South Korea had witnessed a drop in coal sourcing from RBCT in Apr’18. Besides, Taiwan, the fourth-largest coal receiver from RBCT in CY18, had not received a single coal shipment during the month.
Still, on the back of higher loading, RBCT’s coal shipments had posted growth on the year-on-year basis, during each of the first 4 months of CY18. Consequently, total coal export has increased 15% Y-o-Y to 27.62 MnT during Jan’18-Apr’18, compared with 23.92 MnT in the corresponding period of CY17.
Major Coal importers:
India remained the largest coal receiver from RBCT in Apr’18. The demand for pre-monsoon coal stocking has remain robust for Indian buyers, whose coal imports had increased 19% M-o-M to 3.07 MnT in Apr’18.
Pakistan’s coal import from RBCT was down 45% on the month to 0.76 MnT, whereas South Korean coal import had reduced almost half during the month to 0.62 MnT in Apr’18.
Mauritius, Vietnam, Sri Lanka, Comoros and Bangladesh were the other major coal receivers during the month.
Source: Vessel Line-up Data, CoalMint Research, Quantity in MnT
South African Coal Offers:
On the back of Eskom’s mega coal tender and shortage of coal, South African coal index has extended recent gains to nearly USD 100/MT. Coal index API-4 was assessed at USD 99.60 as on 7 May’18.
South Africa’s major power producer, Eskom is currently negotiating tenders for 100 MnT coal that is required for the next 5 years. While the continual of supply tightness for prompt cargoes are also supporting the coal prices.
South African 5500 NAR coal was offered at USD 85/MT, FoB Richards Bay. 4800 NAR coal was offered at USD 69-70/MT, FoB Richards Bay.
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