Indian coal imports rose by over 14% in 2Q18

Imports rose to 43.4 million t during the three months ended June 30, up from 37.9 million t a year ago, according to data from American Fuels & Natural Resources, a Dubai-based trader of coal from the US which tracks shipments around the region.

India has therefore recorded its highest quarterly import tally in two years; this as well as higher consumption in China are believed to have contributed to the strong recovery in benchmark Australian coal prices this year.

India’s first-half imports are 81.9 million t, up 13% from the 72.3 million t imported over the same period in 2017.

“Users of petcoke switching over to coal due to a ban in some regions, regulations being contemplated in others, and logistical bottlenecks are driving coal demand in India,” Vasudev Pamnani, a senior coal trader from American Fuels, told Reuters.

“Any additional demand will be addressed by imports, and India will support pricing.”

Indonesia provided over three-fifths of total supplies during the latest quarter, while South Africa delivered over a fifth, according to vessel arrival data tracked by American Fuels. US coal made up about 9%.

Adani Enterprises, India’s largest coal trader, accounted for over 14% of all imports, purchasing about 6.23 million t during the period. The Tata Group imported 2.16 million t of coal, while Swiss Singapore, part of the Aditya Birla Group, shipped in 2.21 million t and JSW Group brought in 2.14 million t.

The Mundra port in Gujarat brought in the most coal shipments, and accounted for about 13.6% of all imports, according to American Fuels. Krishnapatnam in Andhra Pradesh took 11.5%, while Kandla, also in Gujarat, handled about 9.3% of all imports.

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