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US coal exports rise for first time in more than a year

US coal exports ended 2020 on a high note, rising on a year over year basis for the first time since January 2019. A little over 7mn short tons (6.35mn metric tonnes) of coal left US ports in December, US Census Bureau data released today showed. That was little changed from November 2020 but a […]

Utah is suing a California city over its coal ban

Utah has fully joined the latest round of lawsuits over exporting coal through West Coast ports, this one brought by Utah coal-producer Wolverine Fuels fighting one city’s coal ban that threatens to disrupt an export program that helps keep Utah mines churning.The ordinance passed last year by the Richmond City Council triggers a three-year phaseout on the shipping of […]

Port of Vancouver coal exports climb to four-month high in October 2020

Coal exports out of the Port of Vancouver rose to a four-month high at 2.75 million mt in October 2020, up 11.4% from 2.47 million mt in September and 9.5% higher than the 2.51 million mt shipped out in October 2019, data from the Vancouver Fraser Port Authority showed Jan. 6. The port, which include […]

US Hampton Roads coal exports climb to four-month high in November

Coal exports out of the terminals in the Hampton Roads region in Virginia climbed to 2.28 million st in November, up 16.7% from October, but 17.4% below the year-ago month, according to data the Virginia Maritime Association released Jan. 5. The 2.28 million st was the third-lowest total for the corresponding month in the last […]

China Suffers Widespread Blackouts Amid Coal Supply Shortage

Provinces across China are reportedly grappling with crippling power shortages prompted by a surge in power demand from a stunning ramp up in industrial activity, an especially harsh winter, and tight coal supplies, which may be exacerbated by a ban on Australian coal.  Power shortages have been reported in Zhejiang province, an economic powerhouse in […]

Port of Vancouver coal exports climb 7% on month in September

Coal exports out of the Port of Vancouver rose to 2.47 million mt in September, up 7% from 2.3 million mt in August, but 29.5% lower than the 3.49 million mt shipped out in the year-ago month, Vancouver Fraser Port Authority data showed Dec. 2. The port, which includes Westshore Terminals and Neptune Bulk Terminals, […]

US Low-Vol Coal Makes Record Gains Over Australia

US low-volatile coking coal hit a record premium to Australian premium hard coking coal yesterday. Argus assessed the fob Australia price at $98.50/t yesterday, putting the US low-volatile price at a $20/t premium. Australian premium hard coking coal — with a lower sulphur content and higher coke strength after reaction (CSR) — is typically valued higher than […]