Coal prices remain soft in international markets
14 Feb 2014
February 14: Spot prices of coal in all the major global markets remained soft on February 13 on weak demand from power companies, industry sources said.
As Chinese domestic prices turn soft, they have reduced their buying from other markets, including Australia and South Africa, which is putting pressure on prices across markets, they added.
Trade sources said a return to a full-work schedule this week following the Lunar New Year holidays across most of Asia failed to generate much fresh interest among buyers, who were more apt to work off stockpiles accumulated before the break.
The current trend is likely to continue as China is set to undergo a regime of low growth, feel experts.
In coking coal, China's major producers were lowering prices to address weakening demand, in sharp contrast to the resilience seen in the market around the same time last year, sources familiar with the sector said.
Following are the indicative prices of coal in various markets and indicative freight rates on February 13:
Description of Coal
|
Specification |
Price/ton (in $ and FOB) as on Feb 13, 2014 |
Price/ton (in $ and FOB) as on Feb 12, 2014 |
Week Ago Price/ton (in $ and FOB) Feb 06, 2014 |
6-month ago Price/ton (in $ and FOB) Aug 13, 2013 |
Year Ago Price/ton (in $ and FOB) Feb 13, 2013 |
South African Steam Coal |
6000 Kcal/kg NAR |
79.45 |
79.50 |
83.5 |
72.75 |
84.50 |
South African Steam Coal |
5500 Kcal/kg NAR |
65.70 |
65.75 |
66.25 |
65.00 |
NA |
Australian Steam Coal |
6300 Kcal/kg GAR |
74.65 |
74.90 |
76.2 |
78.75 |
96.50 |
Indonesian Steam Coal |
5900 Kcal/kg GAR |
70.25 |
70.25 |
70.25 |
67.50 |
75.00 |
Indonesian Steam Coal |
5000 Kcal/kg GAR |
56.75 |
56.75 |
56.7 |
56.50 |
58.50 |
Indonesian Steam Coal |
4200 Kcal/kg GAR |
38.60 |
38.60 |
38.6 |
40.75 |
40.20 |
Indonesian Steam Coal |
3800 Kcal/kg GAR |
31.90 |
31.90 |
31.75 |
35.30 |
34.20 |
Hard Coking Coal (Australian) |
VM-20.7%, Ash-10.5% |
124.50 |
125.00 |
127.5 |
139.50 |
173.00 |
Premium Low Vol |
VM-21.5%, Ash-9.3% |
123.50 |
124.00 |
126 |
139.00 |
172.50 |
Semi Soft |
87.50 |
87.50 |
88.9 |
97.00 |
125.00 |
|
Met Coke (CFR India) |
257.00 |
257.00 |
257 |
245.00 |
300.00 |
Freight Rate:
Destination
|
As on Feb 13, 2014 (in $/ton) |
As on Feb 12, 2014 (in $/ton) |
Week Ago Feb 06, 2014 (in $/ton) |
6-month Ago Aug 13, 2013 (in $/ton) |
Year Ago Feb 13, 2013 (in $/ton) |
South Africa (RBCT) to India (West Coast) |
16.00 |
16.00 |
15.50 |
15.50 |
13.80 |
South Africa (RBCT) to India (East Coast) |
16.50 |
16.50 |
15.80 |
15.95 |
14.80 |
Indonesia (Kalimantan) to India (West Coast) |
9.90 |
9.90 |
8.75 |
9.75 |
7.00 |
Indonesia (Kalimantan) to India (East Coast) |
9.20 |
9.20 |
7.90 |
8.50 |
6.00 |
Australia to India |
17.50 |
17.50 |
15.75 |
16.00 |
NA |
Source: Traders & ICMW data base