Tuesday, 08 November 11
Chinese seaborne coal imports have grown greatly in recent years, up from 39.2mt in 2008 to 167.7mt in 2010, with the result that China became a net coal importer in 2009.
Chinese seaborne steam coal imports equated to less than 5% of Chinese coal consumption in 2010. Despite this, China is now the world’s second largest steam coal importer, accounting for 13.7% of seaborne imports in 2010. Thus, any changes in China’s import volumes will have a major impact on the global seaborne steam coal trade.
The existence of a pricing arbitrage between domestic and international coal prices was the catalyst for the upturn in Chinese coal imports. In 2010, higher domestic prices led Chinese consumers to source more coal from the international market, where the price was lower. As the Graph of the Month shows, in January 2010, the price of Indonesian steam coal (spot price + freight) was $39 per tonne cheaper than the Chinese domestic price (spot price + coastal freight) in south China. As a result, China imported an average of 9.0mt per month in Q1 2010, compared to just 1.2mt in the same period of 2009.
However, during the first quarter of 2011, a reduced average of 5.4mt of coal was imported by China. This reflects a higher global coal price (up to $139 per tonne), which made domestic coal a more cost-effective option.
Other Factors
Since April this year, Chinese domestic steam coal prices have risen and now exceed international prices. Thus, Chinese imports reached 12.0mt in September, the largest volume on record.
Other factors, in addition to pricing, support this short-term movement towards coal imports. Firstly, there are fears about potential power shortages, following a sharp decline in hydroelectricity output (down 11.2% and 14.9% y-o-y in July and August respectively). Secondly, it is likely that there will also be heightened demand for coal for power generation, due to the onset of winter. The price arbitrage should stimulate imports, as should reports that the central government will lower taxes and port charges on imported coal.
Potential Limitations
In the medium-term, Chinese domestic coal production may be limited if the government drive for better mine safety leads to mine closures. However, this may not inevitably lead to heightened seaborne imports. Production in countries like Mongolia and regions like Inner Mongolia has been ramping up recently and a railway expansion programme, due to be completed in 2015, will facilitate large-scale coal exports from these areas.
However, it is important not to understate the long-term impact of Chinese demand on seaborne coal trade even though most coal currently consumed by China is produced domestically. Even if seaborne import’s share of Chinese coal demand were to increase by just 2% percentage points over the course of the next decade to stand at 5%, then(assuming long-term demand growth of 2.5%), this would equate to an extra 100mt of annual seaborne import requirements.
In the long-run, any developments along this line would offer a considerable upside for dry bulk trade.
source: Clarksons / Hellenic Shipping & coalspot.com
Chinese seaborne coal imports have grown greatly in recent years, up from 39.2mt in 2008 to 167.7mt in 2010, with the result that China became a net coal importer in 2009.
Chinese seaborne steam coal imports equated to less than 5% of Chinese coal consumption in 2010. Despite this, China is now the world’s second largest steam coal importer, accounting for 13.7% of seaborne imports in 2010. Thus, any changes in China’s import volumes will have a major impact on the global seaborne steam coal trade.
The existence of a pricing arbitrage between domestic and international coal prices was the catalyst for the upturn in Chinese coal imports. In 2010, higher domestic prices led Chinese consumers to source more coal from the international market, where the price was lower. As the Graph of the Month shows, in January 2010, the price of Indonesian steam coal (spot price + freight) was $39 per tonne cheaper than the Chinese domestic price (spot price + coastal freight) in south China. As a result, China imported an average of 9.0mt per month in Q1 2010, compared to just 1.2mt in the same period of 2009.
However, during the first quarter of 2011, a reduced average of 5.4mt of coal was imported by China. This reflects a higher global coal price (up to $139 per tonne), which made domestic coal a more cost-effective option.
Other Factors
Since April this year, Chinese domestic steam coal prices have risen and now exceed international prices. Thus, Chinese imports reached 12.0mt in September, the largest volume on record.
Other factors, in addition to pricing, support this short-term movement towards coal imports. Firstly, there are fears about potential power shortages, following a sharp decline in hydroelectricity output (down 11.2% and 14.9% y-o-y in July and August respectively). Secondly, it is likely that there will also be heightened demand for coal for power generation, due to the onset of winter. The price arbitrage should stimulate imports, as should reports that the central government will lower taxes and port charges on imported coal.
Potential Limitations
In the medium-term, Chinese domestic coal production may be limited if the government drive for better mine safety leads to mine closures. However, this may not inevitably lead to heightened seaborne imports. Production in countries like Mongolia and regions like Inner Mongolia has been ramping up recently and a railway expansion programme, due to be completed in 2015, will facilitate large-scale coal exports from these areas.
However, it is important not to understate the long-term impact of Chinese demand on seaborne coal trade even though most coal currently consumed by China is produced domestically. Even if seaborne import’s share of Chinese coal demand were to increase by just 2% percentage points over the course of the next decade to stand at 5%, then(assuming long-term demand growth of 2.5%), this would equate to an extra 100mt of annual seaborne import requirements.
In the long-run, any developments along this line would offer a considerable upside for dry bulk trade.
source: Clarksons / Hellenic Shipping & coalspot.com
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1 comment:
Businesses around the world realise that to Remain competitive they may need to look to Asia. Export and and import is part of the biggest business. with the export and import you can get the good profit in our business
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