Coal news and updates

India’s Jan-Sept coal imports from S Africa rise 30%

October 7: India’s coal imports through South Africa’s Richards Bay Coal Terminal (RBCT) during the first nine months (January-September) of 2014 jumped by nearly 30% to 20.57 million tons (mt) from 15.87 mt imported during the corresponding period of 2013, according to data made available to ICMW by one of the promoters of the terminal.

Imports stood higher despite a marginal fall in arrivals in September and August due to monsoon-related issues, industry sources said.

In fact, imports in September fell 13.05% to 2.25 million tons (mt) compared with 2.59 mt imported in August, and 2.86 mt in July.

But imports during the month were up nearly 94% compared to only 1.16 mt imported in September 2013.

With the decline in imports, India’s share in the overall exports through RBCT fell to 33.64% in September 2014 from 41.50% in August, 52.78% in July and 50.83% in June.

Going by the current trend, India’s coal imports from South Africa in 2014 are set to surpass the record imports of 21.45 mt seen in 2012. Incidentally, India’s coal imports from South Africa had fallen to 20.68 mt in 2013.

The decline in 2013 imports was largely on account of a spurt in coal prices in the second quarter of the year and a sharp depreciation in the Indian currency that made imports highly expensive for Indian companies.

However, the situation has changed a lot since then and not only prices have softened to a great extent, but there is also a semblance of stability in the Indian currency which has, to some extent, encouraged higher imports in 2014.

India’s coal imports from South Africa stood at 16.13 mt in 2011, 20.99 mt in 2010 and at 17.84 mt in 2009.

India’s coal imports from South Africa stood at 20.45 mt in 2013-14, at 21.16 mt in 2012-13 and at 17.35 mt in 2011-12.

In September only 23 vessels had sailed from RBCT for India as against 25 vessels in August.

Of the 23 vessels in September, four (385,195 tons) sailed for Kandla, four for Krishnapatnam (399,932 tons), three (483,179 tons) for Gangavaram Port, three (233,282 tons) for Vizag, two vessels (153,034 tons) for Paradip and one vessel each for Mangalore (73,800 tons), Bhavnagar (51,871 tons), Jaigarh (85,387 tons) and Dhamra (73,639 tons).

The destination of three vessels (313,030 tons) that sailed in September was not immediately known.

During August 2014, out of 25 vessels, three (453,560 tons) sailed for Dhamra Port, three (411,555 tons) for Gangavaram Port, three (208,415 tons) for Vizag Port amongst others.

Following are the details of India's monthly coal imports from RBCT in 2014 and 2013 (in tons):