South Korean coal imports have increased 4% on the month to 11.36 MnT in May’19 compared with 10.92 MnT in Apr’19, as per the data provided by customs.
The country has witnessed an upsurge in monthly imports since posting its lowest intake during Mar’19. However, imports were recorded lesser y-o-y in the past three months to May’19. Apparently, coal imports in May’19 was marked 3% lower on the year from 11.68 MnT in May’18.
Energy plan set by the country for 2019 is expected to reflect the push for even more renewable and more gas-fired power at the expense of coal, imported from countries such as Indonesia, Australia and Russia.
Notably, South Korean coal imports have fallen 9% Y-o-Y to 57.08 MnT in the first 5 months of CY19, compared with 63 MnT recorded in the same period of CY18.
Grade-wise Coal Imports:
South Korean intake of coking and non-coking coal had increased m-o-m, to attain their respective 3-month high total in May’19.
Import of non-coking coal was up 3% M-o-M to 8.43 MnT, while coking coal shipments were noted 14% higher on the month at 2.15 MnT in May’19.
Meanwhile, imports of Anthracite coal rebounded after falling in Apr’19, to record 13% growth in May’19. Anthracite coal intake was marked at 0.61 MnT during the month.
| Grades | May’19 | Apr’19 | % Change |
| Non Coking Coal | 8.43 | 8.21 | 3% |
| Coking Coal | 2.15 | 1.88 | 14% |
| Anthracite | 0.61 | 0.54 | 13% |
| Met Coke | 0.03 | 0.03 | 0% |
| Pet Coke | 0.02 | 0.07 | -71% |
| Others | 0.13 | 0.2 | -35% |
| Grand Total | 11.36 | 10.92 | 4% |
Source: South Korean customs
Quantity in MnT
Major Coal Exporters:
Australia remained the largest coal supplier to South Korea in May’19. Australian coal exports increased 10% M-o-M to 4.38 MnT in May’19, which was also 44% higher on the year from 3.04 MnT in May’18.
Russia emerged as the second-largest coal supplier with exports of 2.79 MnT in May’19. Export volumes were up 29% M-o-M from 2.17 MnT in Apr’19, also rising 10% Y-o-Y from 2.53 MnT in May’18.
Indonesia dropped to the third-spot among major coal exporters, while recording a decline of 36% in monthly coal supply. Indonesian export was noted at 1.87 MnT in May’19 against 2.94 MnT in Apr’19, which had also decreased 25% Y-o-Y from 2.48 MnT in May’18.
Colombia and US had recorded a hefty rise in coal exports to South Korea, whereas supplies from Canada had come down 19% on the month to 0.75 MnT in May’19.
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