- SECL auction lifts domestic coal prices slightly this week
- Pet coke demand revives as cement bookings resume post-Diwali
India’s coal market sentiment stayed subdued this week as participants adopted a wait-and-watch approach following the festive lull. Traders and end-users refrained from aggressive buying, citing sufficient inventories and unclear demand recovery from the industry. While auctions and imports continued steadily, overall trading enthusiasm remained low, with market players expecting a clearer demand direction in the coming weeks.
Portside Indonesian thermal coal prices steady
Indian portside Indonesian thermal coal prices held steady this week as muted industrial demand and high inventories curbed buying. BigMint assessed 5000 GAR at INR 7,100/t at Kandla and INR 7,000/t at Vizag, while 4200 GAR stood at INR 5,800/t and INR 5,700/t, respectively. Traders deferred new bookings amid low post-festive activity, keeping overall market sentiment subdued.
South African coal trade stays muted
South African coal demand in India remained subdued this week as cyclone disruptions and slow post-festive activity limited trade. RB2 and RB3 held steady at INR 8,200/t and INR 7,100/t, respectively, across Paradip, Vizag, and Gangavaram. Portside stocks rose slightly to 13.33 mnt, while sponge output fell to a 7-month low of 4.71 mnt in September. Despite a INR 700/t rise in sponge prices, weak industrial demand and adequate inventories kept enquiries minimal. On the export front, RB2 rose to $72/t FOB, while RB3 edged down to $59/t amid tight cargo supply.
Coal prices inch up after SECL auction allocations
Domestic coal prices rose slightly this week after SECL allocated about 728,000 t of coal through auctions on 24–25 Oct’25. Prices for 5,000 GCV increased to INR 6,350/t ex-Bilaspur, while 4,500 GCV reached INR 5,200/t, up by INR 50–100/t w-o-w. Despite the price rise, trading activity stayed subdued, with limited enquiries from end-users amid sluggish demand.
BigMint’s coking coal index rises $3/t
BigMint’s premium hard coking coal (PHCC) index increased $3/t w-o-w to $210/t CNF Paradip on 31 Oct’25, tracking firmer Australian offers supported by stronger Chinese market prices. While no fresh trades were reported in India, sentiment stayed bullish amid rising met coke values. China’s second round of coke price hikes and steady Indian demand lent further support to imported coking coal prices.
Met coke prices rise in eastern India, steady in west
Met coke prices in India showed mixed regional trends this week. BF-grade met coke (25–90 mm) rose INR 600/t w-o-w to INR 30,500/t ex-Jajpur, while prices stayed stable at INR 30,000/t ex-Gandhidham. Foundry-grade coke held unchanged at INR 35,500/t ex-Rajkot. A deal of 22,500 t at INR 31,500/t signalled firm demand in eastern India, while western activity stayed subdued amid festive lull.
Imported pet coke prices remain stable
Imported pet coke prices in India held steady this week, with BigMint assessing US-origin material at $118-120/t CFR and Saudi-origin at $117-119/t CFR. Prices stayed firm amid tight domestic supply and steady import demand. Trading activity improved after the festive break, as cement producers resumed procurement and began booking cargoes for November delivery to meet rising construction demand.
Coal freight trends mixed, Indonesia-India rates fall
India’s seaborne coal freight market displayed mixed trends this week. Panamax freights on the Australia-India route rose slightly by $0.16/t w-o-w to $17.66/dmt on steady demand, while South Africa-India remained unchanged at $14.8/dmt amid muted fixtures. Supramax rates on the Indonesia-India route dropped $1.07/t w-o-w to $14.43/dmt – their lowest in over a month. Portside coal inventories edged up 1.2% w-o-w to 13.33 mnt, reflecting subdued post-festive restocking and weak industrial coal demand.
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