Coal news and updates

India’s coal imports increase 18.47% in first half

October 7: India’s coal imports (all types) during the first half (April-September) of 2014-15 rose 18.47%, driven largely by an increase in imports of steam coal and petroleum coke, according to a compilation (provisional) by ICMW based on data received from 31 ports through which coal is imported.

Imports of all types of coal during the period stood at 110.15 million tons (mt) as against 92.98 mt imported during the corresponding period of 2013-14, according to the compilation.

While average imports during the period rose 18.47%, imports of steam coal surged 20.69% to 87.09 mt during the first six months of 2014-15 from 72.16 mt recorded in the corresponding period of 2013-14.

Imports of petroleum coke, on the other hand, surged 72.22% to 2.17 mt from 1.26 mt in the first half of 2013-14, the compilation revealed.

Imports of coking coal increased by 7.13% to 18.32 mt from 17.10 mt in the first half of 2013-14 whereas imports of anthracite coal and pulverised coal injection (PCI) rose marginally by 1.57% and 5.26% respectively.

Imports of metallurgical coke fell by 9.16% to 1.19 mt from 1.31 mt last year.

In September 2014, imports of all types of coal stood at 16.04 mt, which was 19.26% higher compared to 13.45 mt imported in September 2013, but down marginally from 16.12 mt imported in August 2014.

Following table provides detailed break-up of coal imports to India: