Coal news and updates

Chennai’s March pet coke imports drop to 90 tons

April 29: Petroleum coke imports through Chennai Port dropped 18.18% to 90 tons in March 2015 against 110 tons in February 2015, as per provisional information available with ICMW.

Imports of the material in March 2014 stood at 70 tons.

With the March figures, imports of pet coke through the port in financial year 2014-15 rose 59.72% to 3,737 tons against 2,396 tons seen in the previous fiscal of 2013-14.

The following table contains the month-wise import figures of pet coke via Chennai Port during 2013-14 and 2014-15:

In March 2015, 42 tons came from China at a unit price of Rs 22,834 ($364), 24 tons from Germany in a range of Rs 41,030 – Rs 414,387 ($653-6,599) per ton, 2 tons from Japan at a unit price of Rs 283,165 ($4,509), 18 tons from Sweden at a unit price of Rs 72,308 ($ 1,151), 5 tons from the UK at a unit price of Rs 50,092($798) amongst others.

In February 2015, 20 tons came from China at a price range of Rs 42,575-Rs 167,865 ($682-$2,763) per ton, 48 tons arrived from Germany in a range of Rs 39,917 – 439,313 ($639-7,052), 1 ton came from Japan at a unit price of Rs 284,260 ($4,552), 35 tons came from Sweden at a range of Rs 72,308 – 72,361 ($ 1,151-1,162) per ton and 6 tons from the UK at a unit price of Rs 50,241($800).

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.