Mixed trend in international coal markets
21 Oct 2014
October 21: A mixed trend prevailed in international coal markets on October 20 wherein prices of select Indonesian as well as Australian coals softened even as prices remained unchanged for other varieties, market sources said.
Lower than expected demand from China and a slowdown in deals by Indian companies following congestion at some ports also affected overall market sentiment, they added.
ICMW had reported on October 9 that notwithstanding softness in international coal prices, a number of Indian companies are going slow in finalising deals for imported coal because of issues related to evacuation of material from ports to consumption points, industry sources said.
“Some companies floated enquiries, but are delaying finalisation of deals because they anticipate problem in transportation of coal from ports to consumption points,” they said.
“Most of the ports on the east coast are experiencing a waiting period of 10-20 days because of lack of space to stock the material due to rake shortage that is affecting evacuation from ports,” sources said, claiming, “ Vizag Port has a waiting period of 10 days, Paradip too has a waiting of 10 days whereas Dhamra has a waiting of 15-20 days.”
“Even ports in Gujarat, which otherwise did not have any major issues, have started facing evacuation problem prompting companies to delay their shipment of imported coal,” the source added.
Following are the indicative prices of coal in various markets and indicative freight rates on October 20:
Description of Coal
|
Specification |
Price/ton (in $ and FOB) |
||||
As on, |
As on, |
Week ago, |
6-month ago, |
Year ago, |
||
October 20, 2014 |
October 17, 2014 |
October 13, 2014 |
April 21, 2014 |
October 21, 2013 |
||
South African Steam Coal |
6000 Kcal/kg NAR |
65.00 |
65.00 |
65.00 |
77.25 |
81.50 |
South African Steam Coal |
5500 Kcal/kg NAR |
57.00 |
57.00 |
57.50 |
67.60 |
62.00 |
Australian Steam Coal |
6300 Kcal/kg GAR |
62.75 |
63.30 |
63.70 |
73.00 |
78.50 |
Indonesian Steam Coal |
5900 Kcal/kg GAR |
61.60 |
61.60 |
62.25 |
67.00 |
66.80 |
Indonesian Steam Coal |
5000 Kcal/kg GAR |
48.60 |
49.10 |
49.30 |
55.00 |
54.20 |
Indonesian Steam Coal |
4200 Kcal/kg GAR |
36.00 |
36.00 |
36.30 |
36.90 |
38.50 |
Indonesian Steam Coal |
3800 Kcal/kg GAR |
29.50 |
29.50 |
29.80 |
31.70 |
33.10 |
Hard Coking Coal (Australian) |
VM-20.7%, Ash-10.5% |
111.00 |
110.50 |
111.50 |
112.50 |
146.50 |
Premium Low Vol |
VM-21.5%, Ash-9.3% |
109.00 |
108.75 |
109.80 |
111.50 |
145.00 |
Semi Soft |
78.75 |
77.50 |
77.60 |
84.00 |
95.00 |
|
Met Coke (CFR India) |
198.00 |
198.00 |
197.00 |
213.00 |
270.00 |
Freight rates:
Destination |
(in $/ton) |
||||
As on |
As on |
Week ago, |
6-month ago, |
Year ago, |
|
October 20, 2014 |
October 17, 2014 |
October 13, 2014 |
April 21, 2014 |
October 21, 2013 |
|
South Africa (RBCT) to India (West Coast) |
16.25 |
15.60 |
15.25 |
13.80 |
19.00 |
South Africa (RBCT) to India (East Coast) |
17.25 |
16.50 |
16.00 |
14.10 |
19.60 |
Indonesia (Kalimantan) to India (West Coast) |
11.00 |
10.75 |
10.00 |
9.00 |
14.00 |
Indonesia (Kalimantan) to India (East Coast) |
9.70 |
9.40 |
8.90 |
8.00 |
12.50 |
Australia to India |
16.50 |
16.00 |
15.70 |
15.00 |
20.50 |
Source: Traders and ICMW database