Coal news and updates

Hampton Roads July coal exports lowest since 2010

Coal exports from terminals in Virginia's Hampton Roads region totaled 1.7 million st in July, down 13.4% from June and 42.6% lower than the year-ago month, data from the Virginia Maritime Association showed Wednesday.

While the association does not comment on its monthly figures, the weak export market has limited new shipments. In addition, monthly and yearly comparisons are also down due to expiring contracts that mostly aren't being renewed, according to market sources.

The July total was the lowest amount this year, and the lowest monthly amount since May 2009.

While US coal exports peaked in 2012 at 125.7 million st, they are expected to total just 89 million st in 2015, according to the latest estimate from the US Energy Information Administration.

Lambert's Point, also known as Pier 6, in Norfolk, Virginia, exported 708,000 st in July, down 6.4% from the prior month and down 47.8% from the year-ago month.

The terminal, which is owned and operated by Norfolk Southern, has exported 6.9 million st so far this year, down 36.2% from the same period last year.

Kinder Morgan's Pier IX, based in Newport News, Virginia, exported 288,000 st in July, down 45.4% from the previous month and down 59.9% compared with the year-ago month.

It was the lowest monthly total there since September 2010.

For the year through July, Pier IX coal exports total 4.1 million st, down 40.6% compared with last year.

Newport News-based Dominion Terminal Associates -- owned by Arch Coal, Peabody Energy and Alpha Natural Resources -- exported 698,000 st in July, up 4.1% from last month, but down 20.1% from the year-ago month.

For the year, the terminal has exported 6.2 million st, down 29.3% from the same period last year.

Through July, the three terminals have exported 17.3 million st combined, down 35% compared with the same period last year.

source: www.platts.com