Sharp fall in S African, Australian coal prices
18 Mar 2015
March 18: Spot prices of South African and Australian steam coals slipped significantly on March 16 in the absence of fresh enquiries amidst ample supplies, market sources said.
South African coal prices had started firming up from the first week of February and touched a high of $67.20 per ton on February 16 largely on speculative activities, but started softening thereafter indicating there is no demand at higher levels, they said.
Almost similar was the case with Australian steam coal.
Indonesia coal prices continued to remain firm, they said.
Following are the indicative prices of coal in various markets and indicative freight rates on March 17:
Description of Coal |
Specification |
Price/ton (in $ and FOB) |
||||
As on, |
As on, |
Week ago, |
6-month ago, |
Year ago, |
||
March 17, 2015 |
March 16, 2015 |
March 10, 2015 |
September 18, 2014 |
March 18, 2014 |
||
South African Steam Coal |
6000 Kcal/kg NAR |
61.20 |
61.80 |
62.75 |
68.00 |
76.60 |
South African Steam Coal |
5500 Kcal/kg NAR |
52.00 |
52.60 |
53.25 |
60.00 |
62.40 |
Australian Steam Coal |
6300 Kcal/kg GAR |
61.75 |
63.20 |
63.80 |
66.40 |
74.00 |
Indonesian Steam Coal |
5900 Kcal/kg GAR |
60.00 |
60.00 |
59.80 |
63.00 |
69.30 |
Indonesian Steam Coal |
5000 Kcal/kg GAR |
48.00 |
48.00 |
47.70 |
49.80 |
55.50 |
Indonesian Steam Coal |
4200 Kcal/kg GAR |
34.00 |
34.00 |
34.00 |
36.75 |
37.25 |
Indonesian Steam Coal |
3800 Kcal/kg GAR |
27.10 |
27.10 |
27.20 |
30.25 |
32.00 |
Hard Coking Coal (Australian) |
VM-20.7%, Ash-10.5% |
102.00 |
102.50 |
102.50 |
112.00 |
107.00 |
Premium Low Vol |
VM-21.5%, Ash-9.3% |
101.00 |
101.50 |
101.50 |
110.50 |
106.00 |
Semi Soft |
76.75 |
76.75 |
76.25 |
77.00 |
81.00 |
|
Met Coke (CFR India) |
177.50 |
177.50 |
180.00 |
190.00 |
240.00 |
Freight rates:
Destination
|
(in $/ton) |
||||
As on |
As on |
Week ago, |
6-month ago, |
Year ago, |
|
March 17, 2015 |
March 16, 2015 |
March 10, 2015 |
September 18, 2014 |
March 18, 2014 |
|
South Africa (RBCT) to India (West Coast) |
9.00 |
9.00 |
9.50 |
18.00 |
17.50 |
South Africa (RBCT) to India (East Coast) |
9.10 |
9.10 |
10.00 |
19.00 |
18.00 |
Indonesia (Kalimantan) to India (West Coast) |
6.25 |
6.25 |
6.60 |
11.40 |
11.00 |
Indonesia (Kalimantan) to India (East Coast) |
5.25 |
5.25 |
5.50 |
9.60 |
10.00 |
Australia to India |
10.00 |
10.20 |
10.50 |
15.80 |
18.00 |
Source: traders and ICMW database