US thermal coal exports hit 5-year highs and top $5 billion in 2023

United States exporters of thermal coal earned more than $5 billion in 2023 as they shipped out more than 32.5 million metric tons of the high-polluting power fuel, data from ship-tracking firm Kpler shows.The thermal coal export earnings were the second-highest since 2017, following 2022’s $5.7 billion. The total volumes were the highest since 2018 […]

US exports more coal as domestic demand shrinks

Exports are making up an increasing share of the demand for U.S. coal, as the nation’s power sector switches to natural gas and renewable energy, according to a recent analysis from the U.S. Energy Information Administration. The agency’s short-term outlook projects that U.S. domestic coal consumption this year will be 482 million short tons (one […]

U.S. coal exports account for larger share of a shrinking market

As domestic consumption of U.S. coal declines in the near term, we expect exports to account for a larger share of total U.S. coal consumption, according to our recently released Short-Term Energy Outlook (STEO). We expect U.S. coal consumption will total 482 million short tons (MMst) in 2024, 29% less than in 2019. We expect that exports […]

United Bulk Terminals lifts force majeures

Dual force majeures at United Bulk Terminals (UBT) in Davant, Louisiana, are ending following repairs to damages sustained in a November fire. The first force majeure was lifted on Tuesday, after nearly two months, following repairs to the facility’s primary barge unloader that give the terminal multiple ways to unload vessels, terminal owner and operator […]

Hampton Roads coal exports reach 5-year high

Coal exports out of Hampton Roads, Virginia, ended 2023 at their highest level in almost five years. Terminals in Hampton Roads loaded an estimated 3.29mn short tons (2.98mn metric tonnes) in December 2023, the most since January 2019, the Virginia Maritime Association said. Shipments for 2023 as a whole climbed to a five-year high of […]

Global coal exports and power generation hit new highs in 2023

Worldwide electricity generation from coal hit record highs in 2023, while thermal coal exports surpassed 1 billion metric tons for the first time as coal’s use in power systems continues to grow despite widespread efforts to cut back on fossil fuels.Coal-fired electricity generation was 8,295 terawatt hours (TWh) through October, up 1% from the same […]

US thermal coal exports extend gains in November

US thermal coal exports rose from year-earlier levels for a third consecutive month in November, keeping 2023 shipments on track for a five-year high. A total of 4.04mn short tons (3.67mn metric tonnes) of steam coal was shipped from US ports to customers in other countries during the month, up from 3.33mn st in November […]

Hampton Roads coal exports exceed 2022 volume

Coal exports out of Hampton Roads, Virginia, in November rose for a fourth consecutive month, bringing year-to-date volumes above total 2022 shipments. Terminals in Hampton Roads loaded 3.21mn short tons (2.91mn metric tonnes) of coal last month, up by 24pc from a year earlier, the Virginia Maritime Association estimates. Year-to-date volumes climbed to 32.2mn st, […]

US thermal coal exports reach 5-year high

US thermal coal exports rose to a five-year high in October, as shipping conditions from some export terminals improved and buyers in some of the northern hemisphere continued restocking ahead of winter. More than 5.17mn short tons (4.69mn metric tonnes) of US steam coal left export facilities in October, US Commerce Department data released today […]

US exports of met coal rise in September

US coking coal exports rose by 4.8pc on the year in September to 4mn t, driven by increased deliveries to India and China, trade data show. In January to September, total US exports increased by 10pc from the same period in 2022 to reach 35mn t. US coking coal exports to India reached nearly 6mn […]