Generic Hero BannerGeneric Hero Banner
Latest market news

US coking coal exports up in March

  • : Coking coal, Metals
  • 19/05/10

Coking coal exports from the US totalled 4.97mn t in March, up by 10.4pc on the year, driven by increased shipments to Asia and Poland, US Census Bureau data shows.

Exports to Japan rose by 15.9pc to 699,721t, while shipments to South Korea imore than trebled to 423,765t and shipments to China more than doubled to 175,000t.

US coking coal shipments were boosted by a global increase in demand from steelmakers, with resulting higher fob prices making Asia an attractive destination for US producers, despite competition with Australian firms that enjoy lower freight rates into the region. US sales have also been supported by Australian supply problems.

Australia is the largest exporter of coking coal to Japan, but supply uncertainty over production problems and longwall moves in Australia pushed Japan to diversify its imports. Canada and Russia also emerged as sources of significant coking coal shipments to Japan in March.

The supply problems in Australia also buoyed US exports to South Korea and China in March.

Despite the Chinese tariff on US coking coal, Chinese buyers are continuing to negotiate with certain US suppliers — in particular Xcoal — for low-sulphur coking coal products that are not available domestically. Shipments to China appear to be recovering from the second half of 2018, when exports fell after China imposed an additional 25pc tax on imports of US coal. US coking coal shipments to China in the first quarter totalled 394,000t, down by 48.2pc on the year.

Supply disruptions in Australia have also meant that India is growing in significance as a destination for US coking coal. But shipments to India in March fell by 18.1pc on the year to 641,777t. But this follows from February, when Indian coking coal imports surged as a temporary dip in prices prompted more steelmakers to build up stocks.

Exports to India could pick up in future trade data releases, reflecting a recent flurry of negotiations with US suppliers as Indian mills restocked ahead of the monsoon.

Brazil has regularly been the top destination for US coking coal, with receipts totalling 7.63mn t in 2018, ahead of Japan's 5.43mn t. But in March, US shipments to Brazil of 524,915t fell behind Japan, the month's largest recipient.

The Argus fob Hampton Roads assessment for high-volatile type A (HVA) coking coal averaged $200.78/t in the first quarter, down from $208.92/t a year earlier, but still up from $184.13/t fob in the first quarter of 2017. The Argus high-volatile type B (HVB) coking coal index averaged $164.74/t fob Hampton Roads in January-March this year, up from $139.51/t a year ago and reflecting how seaborne demand for HVB in particular has strengthened in the past year.

Domestic disruptions boost Polish demand

Poland imported 202,685t of US coking coal in March, up from 93,917t in the same month last year, as domestic production disruptions led to steel plants diversifying their sources. In January, earthquakes caused a collapse at part of Polska Grupa Gornicza's (PGG) Rydlutowy mine and also hit Jastrzebska Spolka Weglowa's (JSW) Knurow-Szczyglowice mine in southern Poland, opening up the market to US suppliers of high-volatile grades.

Coking coal shipments to Polish ports are also delivered on to mills in neighbouring countries, including US Steel in Slovakia and Moravia Steel in the Czech Republic. The ports of Gdansk, Gdynia and Swinoujscie received over 500,000t of coking coal in March from a wide range of destinations, including Australia, Russia, Canada, the US and Mozambique, port data shows.

But elsewhere in Europe, US coking coal shipments are less robust. German coking coal receipts notably fell by 60.1pc on the year to 87,652t in March, dragged down by lower steel production as the country's automotive production continues to decline.

Key US coking coal export destinations tonnes

Related news posts

Argus illuminates the markets by putting a lens on the areas that matter most to you. The market news and commentary we publish reveals vital insights that enable you to make stronger, well-informed decisions. Explore a selection of news stories related to this one.

25/02/15

EU may trigger clause to boost defense spending

EU may trigger clause to boost defense spending

Munich, 15 February (Argus) — European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen wants to trigger an emergency clause that would allow member EU countries to significantly increase their spending on defense. She also warned that "unjust" tariffs on the EU will not go unanswered. Speaking at the Munich Security Conference on Friday, Von der Leyen said she "will propose to activate the escape clause for defense investments". Such a move would "allow member states to substantially increase their defense expenditure", she said. Von der Leyen's proposal would exempt defense from EU limits on government spending. Highly indebted EU members such as Italy and Greece have voiced support for the move, arguing that activating the escape clause would enable them to increase defense spending while avoiding other budget cuts. Fiscally conservative EU countries, including Germany, could push back against the idea. Von der Leyen's proposal comes at a sensitive time for the EU, with US president Donald Trump pressuring Europe to finance more of its own defense. Trump wants EU members of Nato to more than double military expenditure to protect themselves from potential aggression rather than leaning on Washington's support. Trump is also pushing to end the conflict between Russia and Ukraine. "Let there be no room for any doubt. I believe when it comes to European security, Europe has to do more. Europe must bring more to the table," Von der Leyen said, adding that the EU needs to increase its military spending from just below 2pc of GDP to above 3pc. The increase "will mean hundreds of billions of euros of more investment every year", she said. Tariffs will be answered Von der Leyen also reemphasized the EU's position on the recent US tariff decision, noting that tariffs act like a tax and drive inflation. "But as I've already made clear, unjustified tariffs on the European Union will not go unanswered," she said. "And let me speak plainly, we are one of the world's largest markets. We will use our tools to safeguard our economic security and interests, and we will protect our workers, our businesses and consumers at every turn," she added. Trump on 11 February imposed a 25pc tariff on all US imports of steel and aluminum effective on 12 March, although he said he would consider making an exemption for imports from Australia. US 25pc tariffs on steel and aluminum imports could result in a 3.7mn t/yr decrease in European steel exports, as the US is the second-largest export market for the bloc, European steel association Eurofer said. By Bachar Halabi Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2025. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.

Aperam’s stainless steel deliveries fall on year in 4Q


25/02/14
25/02/14

Aperam’s stainless steel deliveries fall on year in 4Q

London, 14 February (Argus) — Luxembourg-based global stainless steel producer Aperam's stainless and electrical steel shipments fell on the year in the fourth quarter owing to a sharp contraction in demand. But its deliveries recovered on a quarter-on-quarter basis as the European market did marginally better, while Brazil recorded better than expected demand. Aperam's stainless and electrical steel shipments fell by 1.5pc year on year to 401,000t in October-December. Fourth-quarter shipments rose by 2.56pc relative to the third quarter, with full-year 2024 sales registering a 4.9pc rise to 1.626mn t. Higher 2024 shipments can be attributed to the low base of 2023 driven by downstream distributor destocking. Aperam's stainless and electrical steel segment's adjusted earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation (ebitda) rose to €42mn in the fourth quarter, up from a loss of €34mn over the same period in 2023. Revenues for full-year 2024 nearly doubled to €175mn, up from €92mn in 2023. Shipments in the group's services and solutions segment rose by 9pc on the year in the fourth quarter to 169,000t, with deliveries of alloys and specialties flat on the year at 10,000t. Scrap metal shipments in Aperam's recycling and renewables segment — including scrap processor ELG and the group's Brazilian entity Aperam BioEnergia — fell by 7.4pc on the year to 312,000t, but full-year volumes rose by 6.63pc to 1.464mn t. Aperam's overall adjusted ebitda in 2024's fourth quarter more than doubled on the year to €116mn, attributed to a record-high performance of its alloys segment with together with strong results at its Recycling & Renewables division. Aperam expects ebitda in the first quarter of 2025 to be at a lower level relative to 2024's fourth quarter. The group is also expecting significantly higher net financial debt in the first quarter owing to the consolidation of Universal Stainless & Alloy Products completed in recent weeks. By Raghav Jain Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2025. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.

ReElement begins RE shipments, eyes Africa plant


25/02/13
25/02/13

ReElement begins RE shipments, eyes Africa plant

Houston, 13 February (Argus) — Critical minerals refiner ReElement Technologies began commercial shipments of magnet-grade rare earth (RE) elements, as it looks to scale operations by expanding an Indiana facility and deepening its presence in Africa. The Indiana-based company manufactured heavy and light RE oxides primarily from recycled feedstock sourced primarily from end-of-life permanent magnets used in wind turbines and electric vehicles at its 700m2 facility in Noblesville, ReElement commercial marketing officer David Sauve told Argus on Wednesday. ReElement did not disclose how much product has been sent to customers since shipments began last week, only noting that Noblesville, Indiana, has daily output capacities of 5-10kg for RE oxides and 15-25kg of battery-grade lithium carbonate. The company is transitioning operations to its 50,000m2 refinery in Marion, Indiana, which will be able to turn out 2,000 metric tonnes (t)/yr of RE oxides and 5,000t/yr of battery-grade lithium in either carbonate or hydroxide form when first-phase production begins by year-end, Sauve said. Marion will have the capability to process feedstock from ores, in addition to recycled sources. ReElement also entered into a partnership with South Africa-based Novare Holdings to invest $100mn in building out refining capacity of critical minerals in Africa. The companies currently are working to pick a location for their first facility, expecting to start developing the site in 2025's second half. Under the agreement, ReElement will provide its chromatography-based separation and purification technology, along with project management expertise, while Novare will supply funding and operational oversight. Capacity figures for the African plant have yet to be determined, Sauve said. Feedstock will come from local and regional sources. Joining the antimony rush ReElement plans to add antimony products to its suite of offerings, looking to capitalize on a high-margin opportunity and help fill a void after China banned shipments of the metal to the US. Prices for 99.65pc antimony metal have surged by more than 150pc since late August, when China first implemented export restrictions that effectively cut off supply from the world's largest source, according to Argus data. The company in late January expanded its relationship with a South Africa supplier from whom ReElement will source antimony-bearing ore to refine into antimony sulfide and antimony oxide. It already has processed ore samples into sulfide at Noblesville and expects to add commercial-scale production capacity at Marion. Sauve added that ReElement's modular technology could be co-located with "downstream manufacturers of antimony-containing military applications," as well. The company plans to take 1,000t/month of ore initially, saying that total could grow based on market needs. By Alex Nicoll Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2025. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.

Upper Mississippi River ice tops 5-year average


25/02/13
25/02/13

Upper Mississippi River ice tops 5-year average

Houston, 13 February (Argus) — Ice measurements taken Wednesday to gauge when barges can transit the upper Mississippi River exceeded the five-year average, according to the US Army Corps of Engineers (Corps). The annual Lake Pepin ice reports — taken by the Corps in February and March at Lake Pepin south of Minneapolis — are a bellwether for when barge transit can resume on the upper Mississippi River. This year's first report found ice at the lake was 19in thick on 12 February, 8in thicker than last year's measurement and 3in above the five-year average. The Corps' initial report last year found only 11in of ice at the lake, thin enough for waterborne traffic to break through. Subsequent reports were cancelled after the Corps said it would be too hazardous for crews and equipment to take additional measurements. Locks along the upper Mississippi River are anticipated to remain closed through 3 March, the Rock Island Corps district in Illinois said on 5 February. By Meghan Yoyotte Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2025. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.

ACBL sets release dates for Illinois River lock


25/02/13
25/02/13

ACBL sets release dates for Illinois River lock

Houston, 13 February (Argus) — Major barge carrier American Commercial Barge Line (ACBL) has issued its earliest release dates for Illinois River barges planning to transit the Lockport Lock, which closed for maintenance last month. Release dates will be from 23 February through 19 March for barges expecting to pass through the Lockport Lock over the spring season, ACBL said Wednesday. The US Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) expects to reopen the Lockport Lock on 25 March, the Corps said when it announced the closure . The Corps closed the lock on 28 January to install new vertical lift gates and make repairs. The closure has cut off major trade hubs such as Chicago, Illinois, and Burns Harbor, Indiana, from Illinois River barge transportation. Lock 27 and the Mel Price Lock above St Louis will remain partially closed through 1 April, as they are also undergoing maintenance by the Corps, ACBL said. The barge line acknowledged higher demurrage rates were likely for those who loaded barges prior to the released dates. Initial transit on the Illinois River is also anticipated to have a significant backlog in the spring months. By Meghan Yoyotte ACBL's Illinois River release dates Origin Port Barges destined above Lockport Lock, on IL River Mobile, AL 25 Feb Houston, TX 23 Feb Weeks Island, LA 26 Feb New Orleans, LA 3 Mar Pittsburgh, PA 2 Mar Cincinnati, OH 5 Mar Decatur, AL 10 Mar Memphis, TN 10 Mar Evanscille, IN 12 Mar Cairo, IL 16 Mar St Louis, MO 19 Mar — ACBL Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2025. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.

Generic Hero Banner

Business intelligence reports

Get concise, trustworthy and unbiased analysis of the latest trends and developments in oil and energy markets. These reports are specially created for decision makers who don’t have time to track markets day-by-day, minute-by-minute.

Learn more