SUBSCRIBER NOTE: Platts to launch Northeast Asia Thermal Coal Index

Platts has decided to rename JKT Coal Index as Northeast Asian Thermal Coal price index, or NEAT Coal Index -- a price assessment based on seaborne delivery to Japan, South Korea and Taiwan -- to be launched on January 3, 2017.

The new daily price index will reflect trade in thermal coal with a calorific value of 5,750 kcal/kg net as received on a CFR basis traded in the spot market, for delivery in a 15-60 day forward window in a standard Panamax vessel of 75,000 mt on a CFR basis.

Thermal coal grades with the following specifications will be included in the assessment process for the NEAT Coal Index: calorific value of coal ranging from 5,500 kcal/kg to 6,100 kcal/kg on NAR basis, maximum total sulfur content of 1% as received, maximum ash of 20% as received, maximum total moisture of 16% as received and volatile matter of up to 38% as received.

For assessment purposes, Platts will consider all discharge ports in Japan, South Korea and Taiwan but will normalize to Kinuura Port, Japan on a delivered basis.

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