India’s coal import rose by 9.7% during April-November period, report

New Delhi: Even though India's coal output saw a 10 percent rise during the April-November period in the current fiscal, coal import rose 9.7 percent to 156.08 million tonne (MT) during the period, a data analysis done by mjunction services Ltd, a joint venture between Tata Steel and Steel Authority of India Limited (SAIL), showed.

Coal import in November increased 10.1%

The amount of coal imported in the corresponding period last year had stood at 142.25 MT. Coal imports in November this year also increased 10.1 percent to 19.47 MT, over 17.68 MT in the corresponding month of the last fiscal, mjunction data showed.

Of the total imports last month, import of non-coking coal was at 14.24 MT, against 15.23 MT imported in October 2018. The import of coking coal was at 3.93 MT in November 2018, almost flat against 3.94 MT imported a month ago, the report said.

"Metallurgical coke imports during the month were at 0.50 MT, while 0.53 MT was imported in the previous month," the report said.

'Stable trend in met coal market'

Commenting on the coal import trend, mjunction CEO Vinaya Varma said, "The significant correction in thermal coal prices in November prompted buyers to take a wait and watch approach. There, however, was a stable trend in met coal market and this was reflected in the buying pattern."

India's coal and coke import during November 2018 through 31 major and non-major ports is estimated to have decreased by 5.32 percent over October 2018, according to a provisional compilation by mjunction, based on monitoring of vessels' positions and data received from shipping companies.

Coal India accounts for over 80 percent of the domestic coal output.

Coal India had earlier said there is a need to revisit the timeline of one billion tonnes of production target by state-owned CIL by FY 2019-20.