Hanover, 6 March (Argus) — German coal imports soared to a record high last year, while average import prices were down, according to federal office for business and export control (Bafa) data released yesterday.

Coal imports last year were the highest ever recorded by Bafa, at 31.95mn t, or 3pc up on 2011. The Bafa data do not take EU imports into account. Imports in the fourth quarter rose to a record high of at 8.9mn t of hard coal equivalent.

The average import price last year was €93.02/t of hard coal equivalent, or 13pc down on the year. In the fourth quarter, import prices fell to €86.62/t of hard coal equivalent, the lowest in two and a half years, and 22pc down on the same period of 2011. The third quarter of 2012 had already seen the lowest import prices in two years.

Bafa uses the term hard coal equivalent, and importers must convert imported coal into hard coal equivalent using a formula based on the coal's calorific value. In terms of hard coal equivalent, Germany imported 27.45mn t last year.

German coal imports have increased as the country gradually phases out its domestic mining, with just three mines in operation, after the 2.6mn t/yr Bergwerk West mine in the western state of North Rhine-Westphalia closed at the end of 2012. Low prices for carbon allowances, combined with low coal prices, last year boosted demand for coal from power generators in Germany, with 2012 seeing emissions from hard coal steam-fired generation up by 3.4pc on the year.

Importers must notify Bafa of the prices they pay, including transport to the German border. Standard rates apply — for instance Bafa sets the transport rate from an Amsterdam-Rotterdam-Antwerp port to the border in Emmerich at €1.53/t, to which surcharges such as those applying in times of low water levels may be added.

The average quarterly import price is the basis for the subsidies Bafa pays to the domestic coal mining sector.

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