International coal prices ease further
20 Feb 2014
February 20: Spot steam coal prices eased further on February 19 due to low demand and high stockpile in user segments in China and India, trading sources said.
Prices softened at Richards Bay Coal Terminal amidst delay in loading for exports and the power shortage in the domestic market. This, however, prompted increased inquiries for high ash Australian steam coal from India, leading to a rise in Newcastle spot prices. Indonesian coal prices remained soft as Chinese demand remained mute.
Coking coal prices remained flat as there were adequate stocks and low demand from customers in the Asia-Pacific segment.
Freight rates firmed up slightly as higher demand for grain shipments in some of the routes buoyed the sentiment.
Following are the indicative prices of coal in various markets and indicative freight rates on February 19:
Description of Coal
|
Specification |
Price/ton (in $ and FOB) as on Feb 19, 2014 |
Price/ton (in $ and FOB) as on Feb 18, 2014 |
Week Ago Price/ton (in $ and FOB) Feb 12, 2014 |
6-month ago Price/ton (in $ and FOB) Aug 20, 2013 |
Year Ago Price/ton (in $ and FOB) Feb 19, 2013 |
South African Steam Coal |
6000 Kcal/kg NAR |
78.60 |
79.00 |
79.50 |
74.00 |
86.00 |
South African Steam Coal |
5500 Kcal/kg NAR |
64.00 |
65.60 |
65.75 |
65.00 |
NA |
Australian Steam Coal |
6300 Kcal/kg GAR |
77.10 |
75.00 |
74.90 |
78.50 |
95.70 |
Indonesian Steam Coal |
5900 Kcal/kg GAR |
70.15 |
70.20 |
70.25 |
69.00 |
75.50 |
Indonesian Steam Coal |
5000 Kcal/kg GAR |
56.60 |
56.75 |
56.75 |
57.00 |
59.30 |
Indonesian Steam Coal |
4200 Kcal/kg GAR |
38.20 |
38.50 |
38.60 |
41.35 |
41.00 |
Indonesian Steam Coal |
3800 Kcal/kg GAR |
31.70 |
31.70 |
31.90 |
35.60 |
35.00 |
Hard Coking Coal (Australian) |
VM-20.7%, Ash-10.5% |
124.40 |
124.40 |
125.00 |
146.00 |
172.50 |
Premium Low Vol |
VM-21.5%, Ash-9.3% |
123.00 |
123.00 |
124.00 |
144.50 |
172.00 |
Semi Soft |
87.00 |
87.00 |
87.50 |
97.00 |
122.00 |
|
Met Coke (CFR India) |
256.00 |
257.00 |
257.00 |
253.00 |
296.00 |
Freight Rate:
Destination
|
As on Feb 19, 2014 (in $/ton) |
As on Feb 18, 2014 (in $/ton) |
Week Ago Feb 12, 2014 (in $/ton) |
6-month Ago Aug 20, 2013 (in $/ton) |
Year Ago Feb 19, 2013 (in $/ton) |
South Africa (RBCT) to India (West Coast) |
16.45 |
16.00 |
16.00 |
14.25 |
14.20 |
South Africa (RBCT) to India (East Coast) |
16.75 |
16.50 |
16.50 |
14.75 |
15.20 |
Indonesia (Kalimantan) to India (West Coast) |
10.50 |
9.90 |
9.90 |
9.25 |
8.20 |
Indonesia (Kalimantan) to India (East Coast) |
9.50 |
9.20 |
9.20 |
8.00 |
7.30 |
Australia to India |
17.50 |
17.50 |
17.50 |
16.00 |
15.5 |
Source: Traders & ICMW data base