According to the vessel line-up data compiled by CoalMint Research, Coal Exports from South Africa’s premium port, Richard Bay Coal Terminal (RBCT), had fallen 8% M-o-M in Feb’18.
RBCT’s coal exports had totaled 6.69 MnT in Feb’18 against 7.25 MnT in Jan’18. However, on the yearly basis, exports were up 25% from 5.34 MnT in Jan’17.
South African coal market had seen supply tightness during the month, while the volatility in coal prices had also impacted the export shipments from RBCT. In Feb’18, South African coal index API-4 had touched the USD 98 mark towards the month’s end after falling to USD 91 in the beginning, later it corrected to USD 94-95.
With coal index price grinding lower in Mar’18, export from the country is expected to increase in the coming months. Moreover, market participants had anticipated that the coal supply would also ease from Apr’18. At present, API-4 index was assessed at USD 92.30 as on 13 Mar’18.
Major Coal Importers:
RBCT’s major customer- India had recorded fall in imports for the second-month in a row, following improvement in domestic coal availability.
Indian coal imports was down 16% M-o-M to 2.74 MnT in Feb’18, compared with 3.26 MnT in Jan’18.
South Korean coal imports continued its upward trend; and was recorded 1.04 MnT in Feb’18, 40% higher on the month compared with 0.74 MnT in Jan’18.
Pakistan was the third-largest coal receiver from RBCT in Feb’18. Import from the country had rebounded after falling to 0.49 MnT in Jan’18, and was marked at 0.64 MnT in Feb’18.
Taiwan, Sri Lanka, Spain, Netherlands and UAE were among the other major coal receivers in Feb’18.
Source: CoalMint Research, Vessel Line-up data | Quantity in MnT
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