International coal prices ease
25 Feb 2014
February 25: There was a slight downward movement in spot coal prices in international markets on February 24 as demand remained slack since low domestic prices of coal in China kept buyers from that country away from the Indonesia market, industry sources said.
However, Indian enquiries remained stable.
A few Indian companies like Essar Power, Hindustan Zinc and Ultratech etc are likely to finalise deals totalling about 1 million tons (mt) of imported steam coal this week, they said, adding, this might aid the market.
The sub-$80 levels of South African coal appear to be attracting Indian cement-makers, they said.
Following are the indicative prices of coal in various markets and indicative freight rates on February 24:
Description of Coal
|
Specification |
Price/ton (in $ and FOB) as on Feb 24, 2014 |
Price/ton (in $ and FOB) as on Feb 21, 2014 |
Week Ago Price/ton (in $ and FOB) Feb 17, 2014 |
6-month ago Price/ton (in $ and FOB) Aug 23, 2013 |
Year Ago Price/ton (in $ and FOB) Feb 25, 2013 |
South African Steam Coal |
6000 Kcal/kg NAR |
77.00 |
78.00 |
79.55 |
73.70 |
85.00 |
South African Steam Coal |
5500 Kcal/kg NAR |
63.25 |
63.50 |
65.50 |
64.10 |
NA |
Australian Steam Coal |
6300 Kcal/kg GAR |
77.25 |
78.00 |
74.50 |
77.25 |
94.00 |
Indonesian Steam Coal |
5900 Kcal/kg GAR |
70.00 |
70.00 |
70.20 |
68.75 |
75.80 |
Indonesian Steam Coal |
5000 Kcal/kg GAR |
56.75 |
56.75 |
56.75 |
57.00 |
60.00 |
Indonesian Steam Coal |
4200 Kcal/kg GAR |
38.00 |
38.00 |
38.50 |
41.35 |
41.20 |
Indonesian Steam Coal |
3800 Kcal/kg GAR |
32.00 |
32.00 |
31.70 |
35.60 |
35.10 |
Hard Coking Coal (Australian) |
VM-20.7%, Ash-10.5% |
123.00 |
125.00 |
124.40 |
146.10 |
170.00 |
Premium Low Vol |
VM-21.5%, Ash-9.3% |
121.5 |
123.00 |
123.50 |
144.70 |
169.50 |
Semi Soft |
|
85.00 |
87.00 |
87.25 |
97.20 |
120.00 |
Met Coke (CFR India) |
|
250.00 |
253.00 |
257.00 |
253.00 |
296.00 |
Freight Rate:
Destination
|
As on Feb 24, 2014 (in $/ton) |
As on Feb 21, 2014 (in $/ton) |
Week Ago Feb 17, 2014 (in $/ton) |
6-month Ago Aug 23, 2013 (in $/ton) |
Year Ago Feb 25, 2013 (in $/ton) |
South Africa (RBCT) to India (West Coast) |
16.50 |
16.50 |
16.10 |
14.20 |
14.90 |
South Africa (RBCT) to India (East Coast) |
17.00 |
17.00 |
16.60 |
14.70 |
15.90 |
Indonesia (Kalimantan) to India (West Coast) |
10.80 |
10.80 |
9.90 |
9.25 |
8.90 |
Indonesia (Kalimantan) to India (East Coast) |
9.60 |
9.60 |
9.20 |
8.00 |
7.90 |
Australia to India |
17.75 |
17.75 |
17.50 |
16.00 |
15.50 |
Source: Traders & ICMW data base