High CV coal prices spurt amidst holiday mood
23 Dec 2013
December 23: Prices of higher grades of Indonesian and Australian steam coal rose sharply on December 20 even as a sluggish trend prevailed in the market, industry sources said.
However, as most European traders have started preparations for the Christmas and New Year holidays, a softness was witnessed for the low calorific value Indonesian variety amidst the absence of Indian buyers who expect a further easing in freight rates.
South African standard coal prices, on the other hand, turned soft on reports that Colombia will allow export of coal from Drummond mines in January despite the miner having failed to install some loading systems as suggested by the government, they said.
Following are the indicative prices of coal in various markets and indicative freight rates on December 20:
Description of Coal |
Specification |
Price/ton (in $ and FOB) as on Dec 20, 2013 |
Price/ton (in $ and FOB) as on Dec 19, 2013 |
Week Ago Price/ton (in $ and FOB) Dec 13, 2013 |
6-month ago Price/ton (in $ and FOB) Jun 21, 2013 |
Year Ago Price/ton (in $ and FOB) Dec 21, 2012 |
South African Steam Coal |
6000 Kcal/kg NAR |
85.75 |
86.00 |
86.10 |
76.20 |
90.10 |
South African Steam Coal |
5500 Kcal/kg NAR |
68.90 |
69.00 |
68.50 |
69.30 |
NA |
Australian Steam Coal |
6300 Kcal/kg GAR |
86.25 |
85.00 |
84.60 |
83.20 |
93.50 |
Indonesian Steam Coal |
5900 Kcal/kg GAR |
70.00 |
69.25 |
69.75 |
72.30 |
71.50 |
Indonesian Steam Coal |
5000 Kcal/kg GAR |
57.50 |
57.00 |
57.25 |
60.30 |
56.20 |
Indonesian Steam Coal |
4200 Kcal/kg GAR |
38.40 |
38.50 |
38.60 |
43.00 |
38.50 |
Indonesian Steam Coal |
3800 Kcal/kg GAR |
32.50 |
33.00 |
32.80 |
36.80 |
33.40 |
Hard Coking Coal (Australian) |
VM-20.7%, Ash-10.5% |
136.00 |
136.00 |
136.00 |
133.50 |
158.50 |
Premium Low Vol |
VM-21.5%, Ash-9.3% |
134.00 |
134.00 |
134.00 |
132.00 |
158.00 |
Semi Soft |
|
92.75 |
92.50 |
92.00 |
96.00 |
113.00 |
Met Coke (CFR India) |
|
272.00 |
272.00 |
272.00 |
260.00 |
289.00 |
Freight Rate:
Destination |
As on Dec 20, 2013 (in $/ton) |
As on Dec 19, 2013 (in $/ton) |
Week Ago Dec 13, 2013 (in $/ton) |
6-month Ago Jun 21, 2013 (in $/ton) |
Year Ago Dec 21, 2012 (in $/ton) |
South Africa (RBCT) to India (West Coast) |
17.75 |
18.00 |
18.00 |
14.00 |
13.30 |
South Africa (RBCT) to India (East Coast) |
18.25 |
18.40 |
18.40 |
14.30 |
14.10 |
Indonesia (Kalimantan) to India (West Coast) |
12.25 |
12.80 |
13.00 |
9.20 |
9.00 |
Indonesia (Kalimantan) to India (East Coast) |
10.75 |
11.20 |
11.40 |
7.50 |
7.80 |
Australia to India |
18.00 |
19.00 |
19.00 |
14.50 |
NA |
Source: ICMW (Traders)