Coal news and updates

Colombian October thermal coal exports at five-month high of 7.09 million mt

Colombian October thermal coal exports rose to a five-month high of 7.092 million mt, up 15.6% year on year and marginally higher month on month, data from Colombian shipping agent Deep Blue showed.

The Netherlands remained the main destination, with 1.666 million mt shipped there in October, 11% higher year on year and 1% lower than September.

Coal shipments to Turkey rose to a four-month high of 1.036 million mt, up 29% year on year and a 6% gain month on month.

These were followed by the US with 631,607 mt) and Brazil with 603,453 mt, year on year rises of 68% and 71% respectively.

Exports to Portugal more than doubled year on year to 326,825 mt in October, but were 33% down from September.

Colombian coal sent to the UK dropped to its lowest level in three months at 331,094 mt, down 56% year on year and 14% lower month on month.

Shipments to Spain and Chile also fell year on year, with Spain being sent 488,562, down 13%, while exports to Chile were down 35% to 313,913 mt.

Puerto Bolivar terminal, owned by the country's largest miner Cerrejon, exported 2.942 million mt of coal in October, up 13% year on year and down 10% month on month.

Puerto Drummond shipped 2.41 million mt, 6% higher on the year but 6% lower month on month.

Puerto Nuevo, owned by Glencore unit Prodeco, sent 1.354 million mt, 21% higher than October 2014 and down 10% on the month.

Shipments from third-party port Carbosan-Sociedad Portuaria de Santa Marta more than tripled year on year to 367,336 mt, but slipped 4% month on month.

The monthly October average for Platts FOB Colombia 6,000 kcal/kg NAR thermal coal price was $48.56/mt, down from September's $49.13/mt.

The weekly FOB Colombia 6,000 kcal/kg NAR price was assessed at $50.35/mt last Friday, up 65 cents/mt week on week.

Colombian coking coal exports in October were mostly stable year on year at 148,576 mt, while coke exports dropped 38% year on year to 151,529 mt.

source: http://www.platts.com