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US coal exports 8 million tonnes in January, down 7.6% from December

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US coal exports 8 million tonnes in January, down 7.6% from December

U.S. coal exports totaled 8.0 million tonnes in January, down 7.6% from December 2017, but up 18.8% from the year-ago month, U.S. Census data showed March 7.

The month-over-month drop in exports came as seaborne thermal coal prices fell slightly. During the month, the S&P Global Platts CIF ARA assessment for delivered thermal coal into Northern Europe (basis 6,000 kcal/kg NAR) averaged $95.20 per tonne, down from $95.72 per tonne in December but up from $89.67 per tonne in the year-ago month.

January was still the second-highest average CIF ARA pricing dating to April 2012, following the high point in December.

Bituminous coal exports in January totaled 3.2 million tonnes, down 2% from December but up 38.2% from last year.

Top bituminous coal export destinations in January were India at 832,785 tonnes, up from 333,939 tonnes in 2017; the Netherlands, at 441,376 tonnes, down from 472,276 tonnes a year ago; and Morocco, at 388,689 tonnes, up from zero.

By port, bituminous coal exports in January were highest from New Orleans, at 1.3 million tonnes, up from 1 million tonnes in 2017, while exports from Baltimore totaled 699,799 tonnes, up from 468,751 tonnes.

Subbituminous coal exports totaled 580,881 tonnes in January, down 12.3% from December but up 32.4% from the year-ago month.

The top importers of U.S. subbituminous coal in January were South Korea at 422,221 tonnes, up from 15,023 tonnes in December, and Mexico, at 158,660 tonnes, down from 195,612 tonnes.

Metallurgical coal exports totaled 4.2 million tonnes in January, down 9% from December but up 6% from the year-ago month.

Top met coal destinations were Brazil at 686,568 tonnes, up from 371,588 tonnes a year ago; India, at 673,882 tonnes, up from 152,231 tonnes; and Japan, at 630,509 tonnes, up from 416,783 tonnes.

By port, met coal exports in January were highest from Norfolk at 2.1 million tonnes, up from 1.9 million tonnes a year ago; Baltimore, at 721,280 tonnes, up from 714,211 tonnes; and Mobile, Ala., at 727,756 tonnes, up from 694,922 tonnes.

Jeffrey McDonald is a reporter for S&P Global Platts. S&P Global Platts and S&P Global Market Intelligence are owned by S&P Global Inc.