South Africa: Coal Shipments from RBCT Rises 3% M-o-M in Nov’18

According to the vessel line-up data compiled by CoalMint research, coal shipments exported from South Africa’s premium port, RBCT (Richards Bay Coal Terminal) have been recorded at 6.84 MnT in Nov’18, up 3% on the month from 6.67 MnT in Oct’18.

RBCT’s export has been progressively rising since its fall in Jul’18, and has now attained a fresh 8-month high total in Nov’18. Besides, exports in Nov’18 were also 8% higher on the year from 6.36 MnT in Nov’18, thus marking its first y-o-y growth in the last 5-months.

A country-wise break-up of RBCT’s coal shipments indicates that India had taken 41% of the total coal shipments in Nov’18. The country had significantly boosted its purchases after recording its lowest total for the year in Oct’18.

Preliminary data shows that India had taken 2.78 MnT coal from RBCT, with an increase of 18% M-o-M from 2.36 MnT in Oct’18.

Taiwan also raised its coal sourcing from RBCT during the month by importing 0.34 MnT coal in Nov’18, which apparently was the highest intake since Mar’18.

Pakistan remained the second-largest coal receiver from RBCT, despite noting a 20% drop in monthly imports. Turkey became the third-largest receiver in Nov’18, with 0.48 MnT coal imports.

Netherlands had not received any coal shipment from RBCT in Nov’18. Referring to the past year’s record, the country is not expected to source coal in Dec’18 as well.

Source: CoalMint Research
Preliminary data
Quantity in MnT

Eskom Clears its Stance on ‘Load Shedding’:

South Africa’s largest power producer Eskom, has clarified that the recent load shedding are result of a shortage of capacity due to a number of factors, including generating units being out of service due to breakdowns, and it is implemented as a measure of last resort to protect the power system from a total collapse or blackout.

The clarification comes after the allegations that the load shedding was implemented even when the power company was having surplus generating capacity and a reserve margin of 23%.

“If one takes all power stations into account there is an operational surplus and sufficient megawatts to meet demand. However, due to the magnitude of units on technical breakdowns the number of megawatts to meet demand has reduced. In order to match the demand in the country load shedding has to be implemented to balance what is available and to avoid a total collapse of the power system”.

—-The company responded via a recent press release on the matter.

It is also worth mentioning that although having a low coal stockpiles at its coal-fired power stations, the company has not stated it to be the reason for load shedding in its statement. Subsequently, denying the case of coal exports having a considerable affect on the ongoing power crisis.

In fact, RBCT’s coal exports have only noted a subtle rise in CY18, despite witnessing a renewed interest for coal from its major customer-India.

As per the data compiled by CoalMint Research, RBCT’s coal exports have totaled 70.36 MnT in CY18 (Jan’18-Nov’18), against 70.14 MnT noted in the same period of CY17. India’s share in it was up 7% Y-o-Y to 32.31 MnT from 30.129 MnT recorded in the same period last year.