Coal news and updates

China’s coal imports via South Africa up sharply m-o-m

April 8: China's coal imports from South Africa's Richards Bay Coal Terminal (RBCT) increased sharply in March after declining for two consecutive months in 2014, according to data made available to ICMW.

In March 2014, China's coal imports from RBCT rose sharply by almost 117% to 1,066,836 tons from 491,631 tons reported in February. In January 2014, China’s imports from RBCT stood at 552,357 tons.

On a year-on-year basis, Chinese imports through RBCT, however, declined by almost 33% against 1,592,609 tons imported in March 2013.

During the first quarter of 2014 (January-March), Chinese imports through RBCT too declined by nearly 36% to 2,110,824 tons compared to 3,297,485 tons imported during the same quarter of 2013.

In March 2014, a total of seven vessels had sailed from RBCT for various Chinese ports compared to 10 vessels in March 2013.

In February 2014, a total of three capesize vessels had sailed from RBCT for various Chinese ports as compared to three capesize and one Panamax vessel in January 2014.

Imports had declined in January 2014 as well after registering a growth in the preceding two consecutive months of December and November, 2013 when China was stocking coal for its winter months.

Following are the monthly details of coal imports by China from RBCT in 2014 and 2013 (in tons):