Exports of US thermal coal could rise to 58 million metric tonnes ( mt ) this year and 60 million mt in 2019 , from 36 million mt in 2017 , amid a global supply shortage and high demand , according to Perret Associates . Sales to India have already reached 6.2 million mt in H1 , compared with 6.8 million mt for the whole of 2017 . Global demand is expected to rise 5 % to 60 million tonnes in 2018 with total supply gaining at a slightly slower rate . Declining demand from northern Europe means the US will target Asia and the Mediterranean .
Exports of US thermal coal could rise to 58 million metric tonnes (mt) this year and 60 million mt in 2019, from 36 million mt in 2017, amid a global supply shortage and high demand, according to Perret Associates. Sales to India have already hit 6.2 million mt in H1, compared with 6.8 million mt for the whole of 2017. Global demand is expected to rise 5% to 995 million mt in 2018 with total supply gaining at a slightly slower rate. Declining demand from northern Europe means the US will target Asia and the Mediterranean.