Marginal softness seen in S African coal prices
19 May 2015
May 19: A slight softness in standard South African steam coal prices was witnessed on May 18, but other prices remained largely firm amidst lukewarm buying interest, industry sources said.
Metallurgical coke prices remained depressed amidst practically nil trading in India, they said.
Steel-makers are passing through a difficult phase and despite current low prices of met coke practically none of them are willing to buy imported material, they added.
Following are indicative prices of coal in various markets and indicative freight rates (Panamax vessels) on May 18:
Description of Coal |
Specification |
Price/ton (in $ and FOB) |
||||
As on, |
As on, |
Week ago, |
6-month ago, |
Year ago, |
||
May 18, 2015 |
May 15, 2015 |
May 11, 2015 |
November 19, 2014 |
May 19, 2014 |
||
South African Steam Coal |
6000 Kcal/kg NAR |
63.40 |
63.60 |
62.80 |
66.00 |
76.50 |
South African Steam Coal |
5500 Kcal/kg NAR |
53.00 |
53.00 |
52.80 |
57.30 |
69.00 |
Australian Steam Coal |
6300 Kcal/kg GAR |
62.40 |
62.30 |
62.30 |
64.20 |
74.20 |
Indonesian Steam Coal |
5900 Kcal/kg GAR |
55.10 |
55.10 |
56.00 |
60.60 |
66.80 |
Indonesian Steam Coal |
5000 Kcal/kg GAR |
44.10 |
44.10 |
44.30 |
48.80 |
55.75 |
Indonesian Steam Coal |
4200 Kcal/kg GAR |
31.60 |
31.80 |
31.80 |
36.00 |
37.40 |
Indonesian Steam Coal |
3800 Kcal/kg GAR |
25.00 |
25.00 |
25.10 |
29.10 |
31.25 |
Hard Coking Coal (Australian) |
VM-20.7%, Ash-10.5% |
83.25 |
83.25 |
82.25 |
112.50 |
114.50 |
Premium Low Vol |
VM-21.5%, Ash-9.3% |
82.25 |
82.25 |
81.25 |
111.00 |
113.50 |
Semi Soft |
65.50 |
65.40 |
66.00 |
77.30 |
82.00 |
|
Met Coke (CFR India) |
160.00 |
160.00 |
165.00 |
197.00 |
220.00 |
Freight rates:
Destination |
(in $/ton) |
||||
As on |
As on |
Week ago, |
6-month ago, |
Year ago, |
|
May 18, 2015 |
May 15, 2015 |
May 11, 2015 |
November 19, 2014 |
May 19, 2014 |
|
South Africa (RBCT) to India (West Coast) |
9.00 |
9.00 |
9.10 |
15.10 |
15.00 |
South Africa (RBCT) to India (East Coast) |
8.90 |
8.90 |
9.00 |
15.60 |
15.50 |
Indonesia (Kalimantan) to India (West Coast) |
6.80 |
6.70 |
6.25 |
10.90 |
9.80 |
Indonesia (Kalimantan) to India (East Coast) |
5.60 |
5.50 |
5.40 |
9.30 |
8.80 |
Australia to India |
10.50 |
10.50 |
9.90 |
15.10 |
15.75 |
Source: Traders and ICMW database