South Korean coal imports have decreased 4% on the month to 12.86 MnT in Sep’18 compared with 13.42 MnT in Aug’18, which was also 14% lower on the year from 14.92 MnT in Sep’17.
Maintenance at plants to limit coal burns: The country’s coal-fired power generation rose to a seven-month high in Aug’18, but is likely to retreat in the final four months of the year as growth is restricted by maintenance at several plants.
Coal burn has risen only modestly in 2018, despite the capacity additions last year, significant nuclear restrictions in the first half of CY18 and strong power demand.
This is because South Korean coal-fired capacity was heavily restricted in March-July by the shutdown of older units to control air pollution, as well as maintenance at other plants.
Total coal imports in the first 9 months of CY18 (Jan’18-Sep’18) has reached 113.35 MnT, down 2% Y-o-Y compared with 115.27 MnT in the corresponding period of last year. The potential maintenance work carried out at plants would further lower import demand for coal in the country.
Grade-wise Coal Imports:
Anthracite coal imports had witnessed the only noticeable decline among the major coal grades in Sep’18. Anthracite coal imports have fell 58% M-o-M to 0.33 MnT in Sep’18 compared with 0.79 MnT in Aug’18.
Non-coking coal imports had increased 3% M-o-M to 9.48 MnT in Sep’18 against 9.18 MnT in Aug’18. Coking coal imports were up 17% on the month to 2.17 MnT in Sep’18.
| Grades | Sep’18 | Aug’18 | % Change |
| Non Coking Coal | 9.48 | 9.18 | 3% |
| Coking Coal | 2.17 | 1.85 | 17% |
| Anthracite | 0.33 | 0.79 | -58% |
| Pet Coke | 0.19 | 0.14 | 36% |
| Met Coke | 0.03 | 0.03 | 0% |
| Others | 0.67 | 1.42 | -53% |
| Grand Total | 12.86 | 13.42 | -4% |
Source: South Korean Customs
Quantity in MnT
Major Coal Exporters:
Australia remained the largest coal supplier to South Korea in Sep’18. Monthly coal supplies reached new highs for the CY18 which were recorded at 4.52 MnT in Sep’18, up 6% M-o-M from 4.26 MnT in Aug’18.
Russia replaced Indonesia as the second-largest coal importer in Sep’18, despite recording a fall in coal supplies to South Korea. Russian coal export was 2.99 MnT in Sep’18, down 3% M-o-M from 3.09 MnT in Aug’18.
Indonesian coal exports observed higher falls M-o-M, as it had declined 15% to record its 4- month’s lowest total in Sep’18. Coal exports recorded at 2.83 MnT was also 38% lower on the year from 4.54 MnT in Sep’17.
Canada, US, Colombia and Mozambique were among the other major coal suppliers in Sep’18. While nil exports from South Africa were recorded during the month.
Source: South Korean Customs | Quantity in MnT
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