Coal news and updates

Steam coal imports via Chennai up sharply m-o-m in May

June 19: Steam coal imports through Chennai Port increased sharply to 475 tons in May, 2014 against a volume of a mere 76 tons in April, as per provisional information available with ICMW.

There were no imports of steam coal in March through Chennai Port.

In May, the entire material was arrived from UK at a price range of Rs 29,835-30,293 ($496-$504).

In April, a single consignment arrived from the UK at a unit price of Rs 29,777 ($490).

It may be noted that coal handling at Chennai Port has been suspended since October 2012 following a ban imposed by the Madras High Court on handling of dirty cargo of coal and iron ore at the port with effect from October 1,2011. The court order came following the hearing of public interest litigation (PIL). However, old stocks are getting cleared.