SA prices soften further on lax demand
28 Feb 2014
February 27: Spot prices of South African coal fell sharply on February 26 mainly on lack of enquiries from European buyers, industry sources said.
The price of standard (6,000 Kcal/kg NAR) South African coal fell by around $2.00 per ton on February 26.
"The current levels have become attractive for Indian companies, but it is to be seen how many of the Indian power utilities can switch from Indonesian to South African coal. If only their boilers are suitable for burning South African coal, then only Indian power utilities will purchase. Otherwise they will continue to use Indonesian coal," an official with a power generation company said.
Meanwhile, coking coal prices too softened further on low demand from steel-makers and also because of reports that prices in China have softened in recent days.
Following are the indicative prices of coal in various markets and indicative freight rates on February 26:
Description of Coal |
Specification |
Price/ton (in $ and FOB) as on Feb 26, 2014 |
Price/ton (in $ and FOB) as on Feb 25, 2014 |
Week Ago Price/ton (in $ and FOB) Feb 19, 2014 |
6-month ago Price/ton (in $ and FOB) Aug 27, 2013 |
Year Ago Price/ton (in $ and FOB) Feb 27, 2013 |
South African Steam Coal |
6000 Kcal/kg NAR |
74.75 |
76.75 |
78.60 |
73.50 |
84.00 |
South African Steam Coal |
5500 Kcal/kg NAR |
62.75 |
63.25 |
64.00 |
64.10 |
NA |
Australian Steam Coal |
6300 Kcal/kg GAR |
77.25 |
77.50 |
77.10 |
77.25 |
92.50 |
Indonesian Steam Coal |
5900 Kcal/kg GAR |
69.80 |
70.00 |
70.15 |
68.75 |
76.90 |
Indonesian Steam Coal |
5000 Kcal/kg GAR |
56.40 |
56.75 |
56.60 |
57.00 |
60.10 |
Indonesian Steam Coal |
4200 Kcal/kg GAR |
38.25 |
38.25 |
38.20 |
41.00 |
41.20 |
Indonesian Steam Coal |
3800 Kcal/kg GAR |
32.00 |
32.00 |
31.70 |
35.50 |
35.10 |
Hard Coking Coal (Australian) |
VM-20.7%, Ash-10.5% |
121.50 |
123.00 |
124.40 |
146.00 |
168.00 |
Premium Low Vol |
VM-21.5%, Ash-9.3% |
120.00 |
121.50 |
123.00 |
144.70 |
167.50 |
Semi Soft |
|
84.00 |
84.75 |
87.00 |
97.20 |
118.50 |
Met Coke (CFR India) |
|
250.00 |
250.00 |
256.00 |
257.00 |
298.00 |
Freight Rate:
Destination |
As on Feb 26, 2014 (in $/ton) |
As on Feb 25, 2014 (in $/ton) |
Week Ago Feb 19, 2014 (in $/ton) |
6-month Ago Aug 27, 2013 (in $/ton) |
Year Ago Feb 27, 2013 (in $/ton) |
South Africa (RBCT) to India (West Coast) |
16.70 |
16.60 |
16.45 |
14.50 |
15.10 |
South Africa (RBCT) to India (East Coast) |
17.25 |
17.00 |
16.75 |
15.00 |
16.10 |
Indonesia (Kalimantan) to India (West Coast) |
11.00 |
10.90 |
10.50 |
9.90 |
9.20 |
Indonesia (Kalimantan) to India (East Coast) |
9.80 |
9.60 |
9.50 |
8.70 |
8.20 |
Australia to India |
17.75 |
17.75 |
17.50 |
16.00 |
16.00 |
Source: Traders & ICMW data base