Coal news and updates

Chennai Port’s pet coke imports increase 58% in FY16

Pet coke imports through Chennai Port were at a volume of 82 tons in March 2016 while in February 2016 these were at 861 tons, showing a sharp drop of 90.47% month-on-month, as per provisional information available with ICMW.

However, total imports of the material in 2015-16 stood at 6,036 tons against 3,827 tons recorded in the previous fiscal (2014-15), rising 57.72% year-on-year.

Imports of the material in March 2015, had stood at 90 tons.

The following table contains month-wise import figures of pet coke via Chennai Port during 2015-16 and 2014-15:

March 2016 imports comprised 72 tons from Germany at a price band of Rs 43,014 - 47,471 ($638-698)/ton, 8 tons from the UK at Rs 51,547/ton ($758) and 2 tons from Japan at Rs  317,692 ($4,672)/ton.

In February 2016, imports comprised 722 tons from China in a range of Rs 22,247 – Rs 23,506 per ton ($325-341) per ton, 96 tons from Germany at a price band of Rs 42,250 – Rs 43,070 ($618-$629), 17 tons from Japan at a range of Rs 20,892 - 309,717/ton ($303-4,525), 18 tons from Sweden at a unit price of Rs 75,907 ($1,101) and 8 tons from the UK at a unit price of Rs 53,417 ($775).

Coal handling at Chennai Port has been suspended since October 2012 following a ban imposed by the Madras High Court on handling of dirty cargo of coal and iron ore at the port with effect from October 1, 2011. The court order came following the hearing of public interest litigation (PIL). However, old stocks are getting cleared.

Following are details of pet coke imports through Chennai Port in March 2016: