Coal news and updates

June steam coal imports via Chennai plunge to 38 tons

July 25: Steam coal imports through Chennai Port plunged to a mere 38 tons in June 2014 against a quantum of 475 tons in May, as per provisional information available with ICMW.

In June, this quantum arrived from the UK at a unit price of Rs 30,411 ($503).

In May, the entire material arrived from UK at a price range of Rs 29,835- Rs 30,293 ($496-$504).

In April, a single consignment arrived from the UK at a unit price of Rs 29,777 ($490). There were no imports of steam coal in March through Chennai Port.

It may be noted that coal handling at Chennai Port has been suspended since October 2012 following a ban imposed by the Madras High Court on handling of dirty cargo of coal and iron ore at the port with effect from October 1,2011. The court order came following the hearing of public interest litigation (PIL). However, old stocks are getting cleared.