Coal news and updates

This report is part of the S&P Global Platts Metals Trade Review series, where we dig through datasets and digest some of the key trends in iron ore, alumina, steel and scrap, and metallurgical coal. We also explore what the next few months could bring, from supply and demand shifts, to new arbitrages, and to quality spread fluctuations.

 

The sharp uptrend in seaborne metallurgical coal prices that kicked off midway through the second quarter is likely to continue well into the second half of the year as the global supply-demand balance continues to tighten, and the question now isn't how long the uptrend will last, but just how high can prices go?

 

The benchmark FOB Australia price for premium low volatile matter met coal surged 72% quarter on quarter to $194/mt in Q2, while delivered prices to China rose 43% over the same period to stand at $309/mt June 30.

 

For premium hard coking coal, Q2 was marked by strong underlying demand from ex-China buyers and tightening supply.

 

Source : https://www.spglobal.com/platts/en/market-insights