Wood Mackenzie comments on China's thermal coal import restriction

“Rumours of a ban on Australian thermal coal to China swept through the thermal coal market early March, while in late February five northeastern ports in China implemented changes to clearance procedures for Australian thermal coal.

“One thing appears certain – Chinese demand for Australian thermal coal has been significantly impacted, at least in the short-term. Even if an outright ban is not implemented, a three month customs clearance time will significantly increase the cost and increase the risk associated with Australian thermal cargoes.

“A diversion of approximately 40 million t of Australian thermal coal currently going to China into other markets would have a substantial impact on thermal coal trade flows. Assuming China's import demand remains at current levels, increased imports from other origins would be required.

“There are signs that demand for Indonesian coal has increased with Indonesian 4200 gar prices rising by over US$10/t from lows in January this year. Higher Russian coal imports would also be likely. Increased demand for coal from these origins would provide opportunities for Australian shippers to increase sales into other Asian markets. However, 5500 nar coal would require blending to a higher specification to be attractive in markets like Korea and Japan. This could limit the amount of coal that could be diverted to those markets. A significant increase in Australian high ash exports into the Indian market would be required, but can it be absorbed?

“Imported high ash 5500 nar thermal coal in India is mostly consumed in the non-power sector, including cement, paper and sponge-iron industries that together represented 110 million t of import demand in 2018. Power utilities predominantly import low energy Indonesian coal which is either consumed directly or blended with domestic coal. Power utilities collectively represented 57 million t of import demand in last year.

“If Australian thermal coal was sufficiently attractively priced, import-based plants could potentially blend up to 10% of their requirements and plants currently consuming domestic coals could take 20% or more.

“Given the scale of import demand – particularly for the non-power sector – it is possible that high ash Australian thermal coal could flip into India replacing primarily Indonesian exports that would be redirected to the Chinese market.”

Read the article online at: https://www.worldcoal.com/power/26032019/wood-mackenzie-comments-on-chinas-thermal-coal-import-restriction/