SUBSCRIBER NOTE: Platts launches new US thermal coal assessments

As previously proposed on May 31, 2016 and communicated on July 19, 2016, Platts began publishing daily assessments reflecting the value of three exchange-traded US coal futures: CAPP rail (CSX), PRB 8,800 Btu/lb and Illinois Basin 11,800 Btu/lb on September 1, 2016.

The assessments reflect the daily value of the futures contracts for the following terms: prompt month, prompt month +1, prompt quarter, prompt quarter +1, prompt quarter +2, prompt quarter +3, prompt quarter +4, prompt year and prompt year +1.

For example, on September 1, the curve will reflect the value for the futures contracts listed for October, November, Q4 2016, Q1 2017, Q2 2017, Q3 2017, Q4 2017 and calendar years 2017 and 2018.

The Platts symbols are as follows:

CAPP rail (CSX): CFCM001, CFCM002, CFCQ001, CFCQ002, CFCQ003, CFCQ004, CFCQ005, CFCY001, CFCY002 PRB 8,800: CFPM001, CFPM002, CFPQ001, CFPQ002, CFPQ003, CFPQ004, CFPQ005, CFPY001, CFPY002 IB 11,800: CFIM001, CFIM002, CFIQ001, CFIQ002, CFIQ003, CFIQ004, CFIQ005, CFIY001, CFIY002

New weekly assessments

Platts also began publishing two new weekly physical assessments for thermal coal for the current traditional physical market. The new assessments will be published every Friday in the Weekly Price Survey, Traditional Physical Market table in Coal Trader, and launch on September 2, 2016.

The new assessments are for Colorado coal with a typical heat value of 11,300 Btu/lb, typical sulfur content of 0.8 lb SO2/MMBtu, FOB rail (Platts symbol CURQ001); and Illinois Basin coal, with a typical heat value of 11,500 Btu/lb, 5 lb SO2/MMBtu, maximum 0.35% chlorine, FOB barge Lower Ohio River (Platts symbol CISQ001).

The assessments reflect the weekly value for prompt quarter delivery.

Please address any questions or comments to coal@spglobal.com and pricemethodology@spglobal.com.