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 import demand – for seaborne thermal coal, lignite, and some anthracite grades – could grow by nearly 5% on the year to 995m tonnes in 2018, while supply will rise 4% to just 976m tonnes, according to Perret Associate estimates. The Indian government has been pushing ahead on its plan to expand domestic production by more than 10 percent annually over the next five years, but it is still struggling to meet demand as power prices remain high. 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. The Indian government has been pushing ahead on its plan to expand domestic production by more than 10 percent annually over the next five years, but it is still struggling to meet demand as power prices remain high. Declining demand from northern Europe means the US will target Asia and the Mediterranean.