Coal
Overview
Global thermal coal prices surged to record levels in 2022, experiencing unprecedented volatility. Prices have since come off as risks associated with Europe’s supply recede. At a global level, coal demand remains robust with security of supply shifting higher up the agenda of many governments in light of geopolitical upheaval.
In Europe, sanctions have shifted the region’s coal import mix away from Russia and towards other suppliers. The pace of coal plant phase-outs in the region is set to increase in the years ahead, with the role of coal in the electricity mix shifting further towards peak-load usage, making forward planning more challenging.
In Asia-Pacific, thermal coal remains a pillar of the power and industrial sectors. Global coal trade flows and price spreads are shifting, with flows from key suppliers Russia, Indonesia, Australia, South Africa, Colombia, and the US penetrating new markets, in response to price dynamics and trade barriers.
Keeping on top of prices and flows, and how coal markets intersect with other energy and commodity benchmarks, will be critical in the coming years.
Latest coal news
Browse the latest market moving news on the global coal industry.
Indonesia coal quota cut indications cause uncertainty
Indonesia coal quota cut indications cause uncertainty
Delhi, 3 February (Argus) — Indonesia's decision to indicate lower production quotas for coal miners this year is injecting fresh uncertainty into the seaborne thermal coal market, with producers and traders warning of operational disruption and tighter spot liquidity. A number of coal producers have received indications of their 2026 work plan and budget (RKAB) approvals, signalling sharp cuts to output. The step is part of Jakarta's broader plans to curb output and exports in a bid to tighten seaborne supply and support prices at a time of prolonged oversupply. The Indonesian Coal Mining Association (ICMA), which represents producers accounting for about two-thirds of national output, has urged the country's energy ministry to review the scale of the reductions. In a 31 January letter , the ICMA said reported cuts of 40–70pc could prevent producers from meeting export and domestic contractual commitments, potentially leading to claims, penalties or force majeure declarations. The association also warned of knock-on effects for contractors, transporters and lenders, citing risks to loan servicing and economic stability. Jakarta's move was the main talking point at Coaltrans India 2026, a key industry gathering in Delhi. Participants at the event said there was confusion over whether the quota figures currently visible to mining companies on a government website are final. One producer said it has not received formal written notification and that numbers circulating in the market may not be definitive. Another mining firm said its quota is reflected on a government portal, but it may not be final. But the confusion has prompted coal producers to hold back their spot offers, which could lead to a delay in upcoming shipments. Indonesian producers have not confirmed any laycans so far this week. Trading firm Equentia Natural Resources co-founder and chief executive Rajiv Ramnarayan said at the conference that Indonesian producers face acute planning challenges because of the purported cut and any potential revision to the order later this year during typical annual RKAB review might not help the industry. "It's not that easy to just turn the tap on and off," he said, noting that fleet deployment, mine sequencing, contractor mobilisation and shipping programmes are structured around approved volumes. He added that lower quotas reduce spot cargo availability, hurting coal traders as producers prioritise long-term contracts. Some participants at the event questioned the broader policy rationale. Coal remains a key part of Indonesia's resource base and is central to the country's overall revenue, with abundant reserves expected to support production for at least the next two decades, a coal trader said. A sharp structural reduction in output could affect the general premise of leveraging the reserves for economic benefit, employment and overall development, he added. Some industry executives warned that Jakarta's strategy could backfire and prompt a review. Lower output would require a sharp and sustained rise in prices to maintain royalty receipts and allow companies to maintain revenue. But demand from China and India — Indonesia's two largest buyers — has been subdued, with both countries increasing domestic coal output and holding ample inventories. There could be some incremental supplies from other origins to partly bridge the gap emanating from Indonesia's production cut. Indonesian prices might not increase sufficiently to offset reduced volumes. So producers and the government could face declining revenues — a potential lose-lose outcome, a Singapore-based coal trader said. Indonesia has yet to formally announce this year's RKAB and comment on the indicative quota cuts. It approved an RKAB of 917.16mn t for 2025, while actual output reached about 790mn t. Jakarta has indicated it may reduce 2026 production to about 600mn t to rebalance the market to support prices. The Argus -assessed price of Indonesian GAR 4,200 kcal/kg coal sold on Supramax vessels averaged $43.55/t fob Kalimantan in July-December, down by 7pc compared with the first half of last year. The lack of clarity over this year's production quotas and indicative cuts to RKAB has contributed to a rise in Indonesian coal prices recently. The GAR 4,200 kcal/kg coal market for Supramaxes was last marked at $47.17/t fob Kalimantan on 30 January, up from $44.91/t at the start of the year. By Saurabh Chaturvedi Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2026. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.
South Korea sets out 2026 energy transition plan
South Korea sets out 2026 energy transition plan
London, 2 February (Argus) — South Korea will prioritise its goal of deploying 100GW of renewable energy by 2030 and expanding the power grid under its 2026 energy transition plan, in line with its pledge to phase out coal , the climate and energy ministry announced on Sunday. The plan includes reforms to electricity tariffs and the power market, as well as measures to improve the acceptance and sustainability of nuclear power. It also sets out measures to reuse grid connections from retiring coal-fired power plants, alongside a roadmap for a just transition and proposed legislation to support coal plant closures. The government plans to adjust industrial electricity tariffs in the first quarter, raising prices during evening hours and lowering daytime rates. Nuclear power will continue to play a major role, alongside renewables, to support stable power supply. The government last week confirmed that new nuclear projects will proceed as scheduled. The measures will be reflected in the country's power supply plan for 2026-40, including a gradual coal phase-out. Coal remained a major source of South Korea's power generation in January-November 2025, accounting for 29pc of its total output, Argus data show. Nuclear, gas and renewables made up 31pc, 28pc and 111pc, respectively, over the same period. By Dayu Park Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2026. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.
Indonesian coal firms seek review of output quota cuts
Indonesian coal firms seek review of output quota cuts
Singapore, 2 February (Argus) — The Indonesian Coal Mining Association (ICMA) has raised concerns over Jakarta's plans to sharply cut 2026 output quotas of coal producers, a move it claims could leave companies unable to meet contractual supply obligations. The Jakarta-based ICMA, representing producers that account for two-thirds of Indonesia's coal output, said the cuts would prevent producers from meeting their contractual commitments in exports and domestic sales, in a letter to Indonesia's energy ministry (ESDM) on 31 January. Several Indonesian coal producers have likely received new one-year work plan and budget (RKAB) approvals for 2026, and have reported production cuts at varying levels, market sources told Argus on 30 January. A handful of major coal producers in key mining region Kalimantan likely received RKABs amounting to cuts of 40-50pc, said several market participants. The ICMA has requested the government to review the 2026 coal production quota cuts while considering the sector's business viability, impact on employment and supporting sectors and the broader economy. With production figures set significantly lower than proposed by companies, there is a risk that producers will be unable to meet these contractual obligations, which could lead to claims, penalties, and even declarations of force majeure, it said. There are significant production cuts ranging from 40-70pc, based on member reports, the ICMA said. The magnitude of these cuts could reduce economic viability, making it difficult for producers to cover fixed operating costs and other financial obligations to banks. Besides producers, the move would also affect mining contractors, transporters, shipping companies and other mining service providers. This situation could raise the risk of loan defaults to banks and heavy equipment financing or leasing companies. If this risk occurs widely, it will impact the stability of the financing sector and economic activity in coal-producing regions, said ICMA. The RKAB cuts come at a time when Indonesian coal prices have been pressured because of oversupply and weak demand from two of the largest coal importers, China and India, following an increase in domestic coal output in both countries. The reduction in quotas could be a catalyst for the market and potentially support prices that have been depressed over the past several months. The Argus- assessed price of Indonesian GAR 4,200 kcal/kg coal sold on Supramax vessels averaged $43.55/t fob Kalimantan during July-December 2025, down by 7pc compared with the first half of last year. Several traders have not been able to make offers in recent weeks because producers did not confirm laycans, citing a lack of clarity on output quotas. This lack of clarity and reports of steep cuts to RKAB quotas has contributed to a rise in Indonesian coal prices. The GAR 4,200 kcal/kg coal market for Supramaxes was last marked at $47.17/t fob Kalimantan on 30 January, up from $44.91/t at the start of the year. The RKAB for 2025 was 917.16mn t, although total output reached 790mn t last year. Jakarta early last month indicated plans to reduce coal production in 2026 to around 600mn t to rebalance the market, given that oversupply continues to weigh on prices. Indonesia, the world's largest thermal coal exporter, shipped 514mn t in 2025, according to the latest government data compiled by ICMA. Coal mining is a major source of tax revenue for the southeast Asian country. Indonesia earned $12bn in government non-tax state revenue from the mining and energy sector over 1 January-10 November 2025. By Ajay Modi Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2026. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.
Climate ‘superfund’ bill revived in Rhode Island
Climate ‘superfund’ bill revived in Rhode Island
Houston, 30 January (Argus) — Rhode Island lawmakers are making another attempt at passing legislation that would establish a climate "superfund" to hold large oil, natural gas and coal companies responsible for their greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and their associated harms. The bills, H7004 and S2024, were introduced to both houses of the state General Assembly earlier this month, state senator Linda Ujifusa (D) and representative Jennifer Boylan (D), the sponsors of the proposal, said on Thursday. The legislation would direct the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (DEM) to identify and issue payment requirements to obligated entities within 18 months of its passage. Obligated entities would include fossil fuel companies that are responsible for at least 1bn metric tonnes of GHG emissions from 2000-2025 but would not include any that do not have "sufficient connection with the state." Entities covered under the bill would have to make the required payment within six months of being notified, though they could choose to do so in installments. Late payments would result in a penalty totaling to 10pc/yr of the unpaid amount. The bills, which are virtually identical, would also establish a "climate superfund account" where the payments would be deposited, which would then be used to fund any eligible projects identified by DEM. The agency as well as the attorney general's office would be given the authority to enforce the requirements under the proposal. The Rhode Island legislature considered a similar climate superfund bill last year , but it died in committee. Rhode Island is part of a growing number of states that have introduced or restarted efforts to establish a climate superfund law this year. New Jersey lawmakers introduced a bill earlier this month while Maine lawmakers advanced their own climate superfund bill on Wednesday. Vermont and New York remain the only states that have enacted climate superfund laws. Both are currently facing lawsuits from the federal government. By Ida Balakrishna Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2026. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.
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