Mixed trend witnessed in international coal prices
19 Feb 2016
A mixed trend was witnessed in international coal markets on February 18 due to diverse reasons, market sources said.
While Indonesian coal prices softened after the country’s reference price (HBA) for February was reduced by 4.3% to $50.92 per ton from a month earlier, prices of Australian steam coal too softened in anticipation that the fall in Indonesian prices might impact offtake from Australia.
On the other hand, South African rates remained firm with standard coal prices inching up, but off-spec prices softened during the day in tandem with the fall in the prices of other-origin coals of the same varieties.
Incidentally, in an attempt to beef up coal exports amidst weak demand and a fall in prices of Australian and South African coals, the Indonesian reference price (HBA), which is set each month by the country’s energy and mineral ministry, has fallen for 11 consecutive months in February.
Following are the indicative prices of coal in various markets and indicative freight rates (Panamax vessels) on February 18:
Description of Coal |
Specification |
Price/ton (in $ and FOB) |
||||
As on, |
As on, |
Week ago, |
6-month ago, |
Year ago, |
||
February 18, 2016 |
February 17, 2016 |
February 11, 2016 |
August 19, 2015 |
February 19, 2015 |
||
South African Steam Coal |
6000 Kcal/kg NAR |
52.20 |
52.00 |
51.00 |
53.40 |
65.00 |
South African Steam Coal |
5500 Kcal/kg NAR |
39.15 |
39.25 |
39.00 |
44.25 |
54.50 |
Australian Steam Coal |
6300 Kcal/kg GAR |
50.90 |
51.00 |
50.35 |
58.00 |
61.60 |
Indonesian Steam Coal |
5900 Kcal/kg GAR |
46.75 |
47.00 |
46.00 |
52.70 |
58.40 |
Indonesian Steam Coal |
5000 Kcal/kg GAR |
36.80 |
37.30 |
36.25 |
40.00 |
47.40 |
Indonesian Steam Coal |
4200 Kcal/kg GAR |
26.10 |
26.10 |
26.00 |
27.80 |
34.40 |
Indonesian Steam Coal |
3800 Kcal/kg GAR |
20.20 |
20.25 |
20.10 |
23.10 |
27.40 |
Hard Coking Coal (Australian) |
VM-20.7%, Ash-10.5% |
76.50 |
76.50 |
76.00 |
84.50 |
104.00 |
Premium Low Vol |
VM-21.5%, Ash-9.3% |
75.50 |
75.50 |
75.00 |
83.50 |
103.00 |
Semi Soft |
|
62.15 |
62.15 |
62.00 |
64.40 |
79.70 |
Met Coke (CFR India) |
|
118.00 |
118.00 |
120.00 |
145.00 |
182.50 |
Freight rates:
Destination |
(in $/ton) |
||||
As on |
As on |
Week ago, |
6-month ago, |
Year ago, |
|
February 18, 2016 |
February 17, 2016 |
February 11, 2016 |
August 19, 2015 |
February 19, 2015 |
|
South Africa (RBCT) to India (West Coast) |
4.75 |
4.75 |
5.40 |
10.10 |
9.00 |
South Africa (RBCT) to India (East Coast) |
5.00 |
5.00 |
5.55 |
10.20 |
9.30 |
Indonesia (Kalimantan) to India (West Coast) |
4.00 |
4.00 |
4.15 |
6.90 |
6.25 |
Indonesia (Kalimantan) to India (East Coast) |
3.40 |
3.40 |
3.35 |
5.70 |
4.75 |
Australia to India |
6.25 |
6.25 |
6.40 |
10.00 |
9.50 |
Sources: Traders and ICMW database