Exports of thermal coal from the US to Africa increased 60% in the first half of this year to 5.3 million tons, compared with 3.1 MMst in the same period in 2023, the International Energy Agency said.

In the first half of 2024, U.S. exporters shipped virtually all (98%) of this thermal coal to Egypt and Morocco, it said.

In the first six months of 2024, exporters shipped 2.8 MMst to Morocco and 2.4 MMst to Egypt, compared with 1.4 MMst and 1.8 MMst.

“A major reason for increased exports of U.S. thermal coal into North Africa has been strong demand by industry, mostly from cement plants and brickmakers,” the agency said.

The same trend was noticed in exports of thermal coal from the United States to Asia, with a 19% increase.

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