South African coal prices dip on low Asian demand
30 Aug 2013
August 30: Continued lack of enquiries from Asian countries amidst lacklustre demand from Europe led to a sharp fall in South African coal prices, which dipped below the $71 a ton mark on August 29, industry sources said.
With this, the entire gain of around $3 per ton during the month was wiped out from standard South African coal which had touched a high of $74 per ton on August 17.
Australian steam coal prices also softened a bit but Indonesian prices continued to remain stable despite a sharp depreciation in the Indonesian currency in recent times.
Indian buyers continue to remain absent as they wait for the rupee to stabilise against the dollar.
Following are the indicative prices of coal in various markets and indicative freight rates on August 29:
Description of Coal |
Specification |
Price/ton (in $ and FOB) as on Aug 29, 2013 |
Price/ton (in $ and FOB) as on Aug 28, 2013 |
Week Ago Price/ton (in $ and FOB) Aug 22, 2013 |
6-month ago Price/ton (in $ and FOB) Mar 01, 2013 |
Year Ago Price/ton (in $ and FOB) Aug 31, 2012 |
South African Steam Coal |
6000 Kcal/kg NAR |
70.80 |
72.25 |
73.80 |
84.75 |
86.50 |
South African Steam Coal |
5500 Kcal/kg NAR |
62.25 |
63.00 |
64.25 |
NA |
NA |
Australian Steam Coal |
6300 Kcal/kg GAR |
76.25 |
76.40 |
77.40 |
93.75 |
89.20 |
Indonesian Steam Coal |
5900 Kcal/kg GAR |
69.00 |
69.00 |
69.00 |
76.00 |
70.50 |
Indonesian Steam Coal |
5000 Kcal/kg GAR |
57.00 |
57.00 |
57.00 |
60.10 |
55.20 |
Indonesian Steam Coal |
4200 Kcal/kg GAR |
41.00 |
41.00 |
41.35 |
41.30 |
38.20 |
Indonesian Steam Coal |
3800 Kcal/kg GAR |
35.50 |
35.50 |
35.60 |
35.10 |
33.20 |
Hard Coking Coal (Australian) |
VM-20.7%, Ash-10.5% |
148.00 |
148.00 |
146.00 |
167.50 |
158.00 |
Premium Low Vol |
VM-21.5%, Ash-9.3% |
147.00 |
147.00 |
144.50 |
168.00 |
159.00 |
Semi Soft |
102.50 |
101.00 |
97.00 |
119.50 |
100.00 |
|
Met Coke (CFR India) |
260.00 |
257.00 |
253.00 |
300.00 |
337.00 |
Freight Rate:
Destination |
As on Aug 29, 2013 (in $/ton) |
As on Aug 28, 2013 (in $/ton) |
Week Ago Aug 22, 2013 (in $/ton) |
6-month Ago Mar 01, 2013 (in $/ton) |
Year Ago Aug 31, 2012 (in $/ton) |
South Africa (RBCT) to India (West Coast) |
14.70 |
14.70 |
14.25 |
15.10 |
15.10 |
South Africa (RBCT) to India (East Coast) |
15.25 |
15.25 |
14.75 |
16.10 |
16.60 |
Indonesia (Kalimantan) to India (West Coast) |
10.10 |
10.10 |
9.25 |
9.80 |
9.10 |
Indonesia (Kalimantan) to India (East Coast) |
8.90 |
8.90 |
8.00 |
8.80 |
8.20 |
Australia to India |
16.50 |
16.50 |
16.00 |
15.50 |
NA |
Source: ICMW (Traders)