Russian coal exports through far eastern ports are limited in December amid high stocks at sea terminals. And worsened weather conditions hindered coal loading on vessels, market participants said.
Russian state-owned railway operator RZD imposed official limitations on coal supplies to the far eastern ports of Nakhodka and Posyet on 2-12 December. But delays have not led to significant disruptions of supplies under actual contracts with customers, and suppliers hope to catch up with delayed volumes later, market participants said.
Russian coal exports through far eastern ports in November rose by almost 10pc on the month and by 22pc on the year to 7.69mn t, rail data show. Dispatches to the largest ports in the region — Vostochny and Vanino — continued rising in November in line with demand recovering in Asia-Pacific ahead of the new heating season.
Suppliers also suffer from limited shipments through overland border crossings with China in December. RZD banned all coal supplies to the Grodekovo-Suifenhe border crossing from 20 November and may keep limitations in place until the end of this month. But the Kamyshovaya-Hunchun overland border crossing restarted coal acceptance a few days ago after almost a month of being 100pc stopped. Jams at Russian-Chinese overland border crossings traditionally take place at the end of the year when Chinese coal imports reach their annual quota.
Find more news, price information and market analysis on Russian coal exports in Argus Russian Coal report.

