Coal news and updates

No export of South African coal to China in May

June 09: The export of South African coal to China fell to zero in May 2014, according to data made available to ICMW by one of the promoters of the terminal.

That there would be significant decline in export to China was visible from the beginning of the month itself following a steep decline in domestic prices in the Asian countries prompting consumers to use domestic coal.

In addition, the reports of payment crisis also appears to have affected lifting of South African coal by China, which preferred to buy low priced Indonesian coal and also some quantity of Australian coal, industry sources said.

In fact, China coal import from South Africa had fallen by nearly 80% in April from a high of more than 1.06 million tons in March this year.

The export of South African coal to China in May 2013 stood at 767,517 tons.

With this, the total export of South African coal to China stood at 2,317,630 tons during the first five months of 2014, down 43% from 4,065,053 tons exported during the corresponding period of 2013.

In April 2014, a total of only two vessels had sailed from RBCT for various Chinese ports compared to five vessels in April 2013.

On the other hand, in March 2014, a total of seven vessels had sailed from RBCT for various Chinese ports compared to 10 vessels in March 2013.

Following are the monthly details of coal imports by China from RBCT in 2014 and 2013 (in tons):