Slight softness in SA, Australian steam coal prices
18 Apr 2016
A slight softness was witnessed in South African and Australian steam coal prices on April 15 that halted a sustained rally witnessed in the previous few sessions, market sources said.
The softness in South African coal prices was largely on account of a break in the continued firmness of the rand versus the US dollar witnessed during the past four sessions.
However, Australian steam coal prices softened on anticipation that contracts with Japanese utilities might be signed at a much lower price.
Following are indicative prices of coal in various markets and indicative freight rates (Panamax vessels) on April 15:
Description of Coal |
Specification |
Price/ton (in $ and FOB) |
||||
As on, |
As on, |
Week ago, |
6-month ago, |
Year ago, |
||
April 15, 2016 |
April 14, 2016 |
April 8, 2016 |
October 16, 2015 |
April 16, 2015 |
||
South African Steam Coal |
6000 Kcal/kg NAR |
54.40 |
54.70 |
51.10 |
49.30 |
60.40 |
South African Steam Coal |
5500 Kcal/kg NAR |
43.50 |
42.80 |
44.80 |
38.10 |
51.40 |
Australian Steam Coal |
6300 Kcal/kg GAR |
50.50 |
50.90 |
50.75 |
51.80 |
59.00 |
Indonesian Steam Coal |
5900 Kcal/kg GAR |
44.00 |
44.40 |
44.50 |
49.00 |
58.00 |
Indonesian Steam Coal |
5000 Kcal/kg GAR |
37.50 |
37.50 |
37.50 |
37.60 |
46.00 |
Indonesian Steam Coal |
4200 Kcal/kg GAR |
26.25 |
26.25 |
26.25 |
25.80 |
32.40 |
Indonesian Steam Coal |
3800 Kcal/kg GAR |
20.40 |
20.50 |
20.50 |
20.60 |
26.30 |
Hard Coking Coal (Australian) |
VM-20.7%, Ash-10.5% |
92.00 |
91.50 |
87.25 |
80.00 |
91.00 |
Premium Low Vol |
VM-21.5%, Ash-9.3% |
91.00 |
90.50 |
86.25 |
79.00 |
90.00 |
Semi Soft |
|
66.00 |
65.75 |
65.75 |
61.25 |
72.00 |
Met Coke (CFR India) |
CSR 62 |
131.00 |
130.00 |
125.00 |
133.00 |
172.50 |
Freight rates:
Destination |
(in $/ton) |
||||
As on |
As on |
Week ago, |
6-month ago, |
Year ago, |
|
April 15, 2016 |
April 14, 2016 |
April 8, 2016 |
October 16, 2015 |
April 16, 2015 |
|
South Africa (RBCT) to India (West Coast) |
7.10 |
7.10 |
6.30 |
8.25 |
9.20 |
South Africa (RBCT) to India (East Coast) |
7.20 |
7.20 |
6.60 |
8.30 |
9.20 |
Indonesia (Kalimantan) to India (West Coast) |
5.00 |
5.00 |
4.75 |
6.40 |
6.00 |
Indonesia (Kalimantan) to India (East Coast) |
4.30 |
4.30 |
4.10 |
5.20 |
5.00 |
Australia to India |
7.00 |
7.00 |
6.90 |
9.50 |
9.20 |
Source: Traders and ICMW database