UK Coal Imports Rise 12% in Oct’16

UK monthly coal imports have increased by 12% in Oct’16. In contrast, Yearly imports have recorded a decline of 37% as compared to Oct’15.

UK, one of the largest coal importers in the world, has imported 1.22 MnT coal in Oct’16. The country’s imports have increased on monthly basis. While, yearly imports fell by 37% which was at 1.94 MnT in Oct’15. As per UK customs data.

Out of the total imports, the country receives more than 30% bituminous coal from the different origins and rest quantity comprises Anthracite, Coke, Pet coke and other grades.

In the month of Oct’16, out of the total imports, the country has received 0.37MnT Bituminous coal, 0.36 MnT Coking coal and about 0.49 MnT other grades.

Source: UK Customs
Quantity in MnT

In UK,  coal imports have been falling persistently owing to closure of coal-fired power units across the country. Hence, yearly imports have declined by about 60% till Oct’16.

In the first ten months of 2016 (Jan’16-Oct’16), the coal imports have fallen drastically by 60% to 8.44 MnT, compared with 21.28 MnT in the same period in 2015.

Major exporting countries in Sep’16
Colombia, the largest supplier to the UK, shipped about 0.39 MnT coal in Oct’16 with an increase of 15% M-o-M compared with Sep’16 while import down by 50% Y-o-Y.

Moreover, Colombia supplies more than 30% share of the total yearly coal imports of UK. Again recorded as the biggest supplier and exported  2.23 MnT coal over Jan’16-Oct’16.

Australia, the second-largest coal exporter to the UK, shipped 0.21 MnT coal in Oct’16 with a remarkable growth of 0.16 MnT on monthly basis. On similar trend, Yearly exports have also increased.

Russia, the third largest coal exporter to the UK, shipped around 0.21 MnT coal during the month, down by 7% M-o-M.  Also, recorded a downfall of 50% Y-o-Y.