Speculations give Australian steam coal prices leg-up
16 Jan 2015
January 16: Severe speculative interest devoid of actual buying or selling activities led to further firmness in Australian steam coal prices on January 15, prompting operators to increase offers for South African coal as well, market sources said.
South African coal prices (6,000 Kcal/kg NAR) rose by $0.70 per ton whereas off-spec (5,500 Kcal/kg NAR) prices rose by $0.75 per ton during the day whereas Australian steam coal (6,300 Kcal/kg GAR) advanced by $0.50 on the back of nearly $2 per ton gain recorded the previous day, they said.
Despite the firmness in prices, actual deals remained relatively low as buyers continued with their wait-and-watch policy, they added.
Following are the indicative prices of coal in various markets and indicative freight rates on January 15:
Description of Coal |
Specification |
Price/ton (in $ and FOB) |
||||
As on, |
As on, |
Week ago, |
6-month ago, |
Year ago, |
||
January 15, 2015 |
January 14, 2015 |
January 8, 2015 |
July 16, 2014 |
January 16, 2014 |
||
South African Steam Coal |
6000 Kcal/kg NAR |
60.50 |
59.80 |
61.60 |
69.75 |
86.50 |
South African Steam Coal |
5500 Kcal/kg NAR |
52.75 |
52.00 |
53.20 |
63.60 |
67.75 |
Australian Steam Coal |
6300 Kcal/kg GAR |
66.50 |
65.00 |
64.80 |
68.50 |
82.80 |
Indonesian Steam Coal |
5900 Kcal/kg GAR |
58.50 |
58.75 |
59.00 |
65.30 |
70.25 |
Indonesian Steam Coal |
5000 Kcal/kg GAR |
47.50 |
47.60 |
47.60 |
51.40 |
57.10 |
Indonesian Steam Coal |
4200 Kcal/kg GAR |
34.80 |
34.80 |
34.80 |
36.70 |
38.25 |
Indonesian Steam Coal |
3800 Kcal/kg GAR |
28.60 |
28.60 |
28.60 |
30.40 |
32.10 |
Hard Coking Coal (Australian) |
VM-20.7%, Ash-10.5% |
108.50 |
109.00 |
109.75 |
112.00 |
131.75 |
Premium Low Vol |
VM-21.5%, Ash-9.3% |
107.50 |
108.00 |
108.75 |
111.00 |
130.25 |
Semi Soft |
79.25 |
79.50 |
81.00 |
75.00 |
92.00 |
|
Met Coke (CFR India) |
193.00 |
193.00 |
196.00 |
206.00 |
272.00 |
Freight rates:
Destination |
(in $/ton) |
||||
As on |
As on |
Week ago, |
6-month ago, |
Year ago, |
|
January 15, 2015 |
January 14, 2015 |
January 8, 2015 |
July 16, 2014 |
January 16, 2014 |
|
South Africa (RBCT) to India (West Coast) |
9.60 |
9.70 |
11.20 |
13.30 |
15.70 |
South Africa (RBCT) to India (East Coast) |
9.20 |
9.20 |
11.70 |
14.40 |
15.90 |
Indonesia (Kalimantan) to India (West Coast) |
7.25 |
7.25 |
7.35 |
8.80 |
9.40 |
Indonesia (Kalimantan) to India (East Coast) |
5.80 |
6.00 |
6.55 |
7.80 |
8.40 |
Australia to India |
9.75 |
9.90 |
10.40 |
14.30 |
17.00 |
Source: Traders and ICMW database