China’s coal hunger to put a floor under prices

ZPMC’s new continuous screw-type ship unloader, with a capacity of 600-2,000 tonnes per hour, advances eco-friendly bulk cargo handling.

The Balaka-Lilongwe railway now enables coal imports from Mozambique’s Tete Province, where Indian companies have bought mines to supply coal to India.

Liquified natural gas is unlikely to displace coal in China’s energy transition, as the country prioritises domestic energy sources over imported LNG.

Drewry forecasts a 3.3% rise in Capesize shipping demand in 2024, driven by increased coal exports from Colombia to Asia, offsetting reduced European demand.

Between January and August 2024, Chinese seaborne dry bulk imports rose 6% y/y, driven by inventory build-up, despite domestic concerns.

Between January and August, India’s coal shipments rose 10% y/y, driven by strong electricity demand, but hydropower recovery may reduce future coal demand.