Sharp fall in S African, Australian coal prices
31 Oct 2014
October 31: Spot prices of South African and Australian steam coal dipped sharply on lack of demand from major buyers even as rates of the Indonesian variety remained largely unchanged amidst limited deals, market sources said.
With China practically out of the market, Indian companies were seen avoiding new commitments, anticipating further softness in prices, they said.
Firmness in freight rates was partly responsible for the weakness in prices as buyers were looking for a softening in freight charges, they added
Following are the indicative prices of coal in various markets and indicative freight rates on October 30:
Description of Coal
|
Specification |
Price/ton (in $ and FOB) |
||||
As on, |
As on, |
Week ago, |
6-month ago, |
Year ago, |
||
October 30, 2014 |
October 29, 2014 |
October 23, 2014 |
May 2, 2014 |
October 31, 2013 |
||
South African Steam Coal |
6000 Kcal/kg NAR |
65.50 |
66.75 |
- |
77.40 |
83.75 |
South African Steam Coal |
5500 Kcal/kg NAR |
57.00 |
58.50 |
- |
70.10 |
64.25 |
Australian Steam Coal |
6300 Kcal/kg GAR |
62.25 |
63.50 |
- |
73.15 |
83.00 |
Indonesian Steam Coal |
5900 Kcal/kg GAR |
61.25 |
61.50 |
- |
66.80 |
66.50 |
Indonesian Steam Coal |
5000 Kcal/kg GAR |
48.50 |
48.50 |
- |
55.40 |
53.90 |
Indonesian Steam Coal |
4200 Kcal/kg GAR |
35.75 |
35.75 |
- |
37.20 |
38.50 |
Indonesian Steam Coal |
3800 Kcal/kg GAR |
29.50 |
29.50 |
- |
31.60 |
32.75 |
Hard Coking Coal (Australian) |
VM-20.7%, Ash-10.5% |
109.50 |
109.50 |
- |
113.50 |
147.00 |
Premium Low Vol |
VM-21.5%, Ash-9.3% |
107.50 |
107.50 |
- |
112.25 |
145.00 |
Semi Soft |
77.00 |
78.50 |
- |
80.50 |
96.50 |
|
Met Coke (CFR India) |
197.00 |
195.00 |
- |
218.00 |
272.00 |
Freight rates:
Destination |
(in $/ton) |
||||
As on |
As on |
Week ago, |
6-month ago, |
Year ago, |
|
October 30, 2014 |
October 29, 2014 |
October 23, 2014 |
May 2, 2014 |
October 31, 2013 |
|
South Africa (RBCT) to India (West Coast) |
16.25 |
15.90 |
- |
14.60 |
17.00 |
South Africa (RBCT) to India (East Coast) |
16.80 |
16.80 |
- |
15.40 |
17.60 |
Indonesia (Kalimantan) to India (West Coast) |
11.70 |
11.40 |
- |
9.60 |
12.25 |
Indonesia (Kalimantan) to India (East Coast) |
10.20 |
9.60 |
- |
8.60 |
10.80 |
Australia to India |
17.00 |
16.25 |
- |
16.50 |
17.00 |
Source: Traders and ICMW database