According to the data provided by Turkish customs, coal import by the country has decreased 11% M-o-M to 3.26 MnT in Mar’18, after maintaining stability during the first two months of CY18. Coal import in Mar’18 was also 15% lower on the year compared with 3.85 MnT in Mar’17.
Turkey’s coal import totaled 10.61 MnT during the first quarter of CY18 (Jan’18-Mar’18), up 2% Y-o-Y compared with the import of 10.41 MnT coal in Jan’17-Mar’17.
Regarding the changes in Turkey’s import regulation, Media reports have claimed that the decision to raise the sulfur cap on thermal coal imports is imminent, but would need final approval from the country’s environmental agencies.
Turkish energy ministry is said to be willing to raise the sulfur cap on thermal coal import to 3%. The decision is likely to open up the market for US coal, having the most competitive thermal coal based on heat value, but has high percent of sulfur content.
Grade-wise Coal Imports:
Non-coking coal imports had dropped 14% M-o-M to 2.23 MnT in Mar’18 compared with 2.59 MnT in Feb’18.
Pet coke, was the second-largest imported coal grade in Mar’18, whose imports had increased 20% M-o-M to 0.54 MnT. Coking coal imports were down 31% M-o-M to 0.33 MnT in Mar’18.
Imports of Met coke and Anthracite both stood at around 0.08 MnT during the month.
| Grade | Mar’18 | Feb’18 | M-o-M |
| Non Coking Coal | 2.23 | 2.59 | -14% |
| Pet Coke | 0.54 | 0.45 | 20% |
| Coking Coal | 0.33 | 0.48 | -31% |
| Anthracite | 0.08 | 0.06 | 33% |
| Met Coke | 0.08 | 0.1 | -20% |
| Grand Total | 3.26 | 3.68 | -11% |
Source: Turkish Customs
Quantity in MnT
Major Coal Exporters:
Colombia remained the largest coal supplier to Mar’18, followed by Russia and the US. The three countries had accounted for 87% of the total coal exports during the month.
Colombian coal export to Turkey fell 23% on the month to 1.4 MnT in Mar’18, against 1.81 MnT in Feb’18.
Russia’s coal export was 0.94 MnT during the month, up 27% M-o-M from 0.74 MnT in Feb’18, but down 10% Y-o-Y from 1.05 MnT in Mar’17.
US was the third-largest coal exporter during the month. Coal export from the country surged 59% on the month to 0.62 MnT in Mar’18, which was also 27% higher on the year compared with 0.49 MnT in Mar’17.
Source: Turkish Customs | Quantity in MnT
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