Coal exports out of Hampton Roads, Virginia increased in September by 18pc from a year earlier, partially reflecting the resolution of some operating issues in 2023.

Hampton Roads terminals loaded a combined 3.18mn short tons (2.88mn metric tonnes) of coal last month, up from 2.71mn st in September 2023, according to the Virginia Maritime Association. That was the largest amount of coal exported from the port for any September since 2014.

The Dominion Terminal Associates facility, which is co-owned by Alpha Metallurgical Resources and Arch Resources, handled significantly more coal in September compared with the same month last year. The companies last year reported that mechanical problems and weather-related setbacks delayed vessel loadings and shipments at the terminal.

Last month, DTA exported 1.32mn st of coal, climbing by 28pc from September 2023.

The other two coal terminals at Hampton Roads also increased exports in September. Norfolk Southern’s Lamberts Point terminal shipped 1.11mn st of coal, up by 9.8pc from the same period last year, and loadings at Kinder Morgan’s Pier IX rose by 13pc to 752,163st last month.

Still, Hampton Roads coal exports in September slid from the 3.37mn st shipped in August as muted demand put downward pressure on some international exports.

Hampton Roads exports are comprised of a mix of metallurgical and steam coal.

Metallurgical coal prices decreased last month, with the monthly average for Argus’ high-volatile type A coking coal assessment falling to $179.75/t fob Hampton Roads from $187.50/t in August. That was also down from $231/t in September 2023.

Thermal coal export prices also declined in September as European-delivered prices slightly eased up. The average for the mid-point of the high-low range for prompt two-month shipments of 6,000 kcal/kg thermal coal out of Hampton Roads dropped to $108.63/t fob last month, compared with $111.66/t in during the prior month, and $109.94/t in September 2023.

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