INDONESIAN COAL EXPORTS DROP 7.98 PERCENT IN APRIL

Thursday, 19 May 11

Indonesian coal exports dropped to 2.168 million tons in April, and up 7.13 percent on the year and 7.98 percent below March, according to our sources. Indonesia exports 24.99 million tons of coal in April.

Our sources further said that, first four months export of 98.87 million tons put full year volumes on pace to exceed 296 million tons well above 2010 exports.

Indian buyers have reduced Indonesian coal imports in April 2011 to 6.28 million tons from 7.70 million tons m-o-m. However, Chinese returned to Indonesia after silent about almost first three months of this year and brought 35.99 percent more coal in April from March imports.

The next few months being summer months in India and china the demand for power, steel and cement increases thereby the movement in coal may be witnessed resulting in higher consumption.

China has bought 6.10 million tons of Indonesian coal in April against its import of just 4.48 million tons in March. Chinese buyers are still in the market to conclude the deals to cover summer requirements.

Recently, Berau Coal, one of the country’s largest coal miners have signed a five-year deal with Huaneng Power International and a three-year contract with Zhushui Energy Resource Group, as quoted by local paper. According to paper, Berau will sell 1.5 million tons of coal annually to each company.

According to ICAP Shipping, China's total coal imports in the first quarter were some 27 percent down on a year ago at 32.3 Mt (2010: 44.4 Mt).

49.57 percent of total Indonesian coal exports in April goes to fuel hungry countries such as India and China.

Indonesian government has already successfully implemented monthly coal reference price for its coal. Coal ministry also fine tuning their coal reference prices on a monthly basis based on market condition.

Coal producers of Indonesia were asked to comply with the government declared coal price reference prior to concluding any coal sales agreement with its buyers.

Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources of Indonesia has set the May 2011 Indonesian Coal Reference Price for thermal coal at US$ 117.61 per ton, which was 3.61 percent lesser than April 2011 price of US$ 122.02.

Assessment basis of coal price reference was calculated considering coal with GCV (GAR) 6,322 kcal/kg, Total Moisture (arb) 8.00%, Total Sulphur (arb) 0.8%, Ash Content (arb) 15.00% and delivery free on Board (FOB) Vessel basis and applicable for spot contract, delivery between 1 - 31 May 2011.

Instead of dropping in HBA, Indonesian coal prices were still at stable position. small scale mines from Kalimantan were offering 6300 GAD coal between US$ 82 - 87 per MT and premium coal supplier's prices were already in high nineties or at three digits pricing, an international trader said.

According to market stakeholders, the prices may stand stable at this moment, but the prices and demands are expected to move stronger in coming months.(cs) (sourced coalspot)

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