Platts discontinues FOB Newcastle 5,500 kcal/kg NAR 20% ash thermal coal assessment

Platts, part of S&P Global Commodity Insights, has discontinued its FOB Newcastle 5,500 kcal/kg NAR 20% ash thermal coal assessment (AAVUW00), effective Aug. 23.

This discontinuation is in line with market participants' feedback and research showing negligible production and spot trading for the grade exported from the Port of Newcastle, Australia.

The decision follows a market consultation (https://www.spglobal.com/commodityinsights/en/our-methodology/subscriber-notes/022324-platts-to-review-australian-thermal-coal-export-price-assessments) that began Feb. 23, and the proposal note (https://www.spglobal.com/commodityinsights/en/our-methodology/subscriber-notes/051424-platts-proposes-to-discontinue-fob-newcastle-5500-kcalkg-nar-20-ash-thermal-coal-assessment) May 14.

The associated quarterly and monthly average prices will also be discontinued. The FOB Newcastle 5,500 kcal/kg NAR 20% ash assessment (AAVUW00) and inputs are published in Platts Coal Trader, Platts Coal Trader International, as well as Fixed Pages GCI0410, PEP0910, GC0412, GCA425, and EP0912.

Platts will continue to publish its FOB Newcastle 5,500 kcal/kg NAR 23% ash (AAVVB00) assessment, which reflects the highest volume of thermal coal exported from Australia.

The FOB Newcastle 1% ash differential (AAVVA00), bearing the same fixed page numbers, will also be published every day, but will now be based on FOB Newcastle 5,500 kcal/kg NAR 23% ash (AAVVB00).

Please send all comments, feedback and questions to coal@spglobal.com and pricegroup@spglobal.com.For written comments, please provide a clear indication if they are not intended for publication by Platts for public viewing. Platts will consider all comments received and will make those not marked as confidential available upon request.