BEIJING: China imported 7.54 million mt of thermal coal in June, rising 21.4% year on year, but down 1% from May’s 13-month high, according to data released by the General Administration of Customs Friday. The volume included 5.87 million mt of bituminous material and 1.66 million mt of sub-bituminous coal, but excluded imports of lower CV lignite material. During the first half of the year, China imported 40.57 million mt of thermal coal, down 4.2% from the same period of 2015.
Australia remained the largest shipper of thermal coal to China in June at 3.23 million mt, falling 14% on the year and down 3% from May’s five-month high. Indonesia sent 2.86 million mt to China in June, 63% higher on the year, but down 8% from the previous month.
China’s imports of Russian thermal coal jumped 94% on the year to 1.28 million mt, which was also 25% higher on the month and at a three-month high. Total lignite imports for June more than doubled year on year to 6.17 million mt from 2.90 million mt a year ago, and also increased 20% from May to the highest monthly volume since April 2014. Of the total, 5.14 million mt was received from Indonesia, rising 92% year on year and also up 10% on the month.
