【Asian Thermal Coal Import Rebound Supports Global Seaborne Coal Prices】

Published: Jul 30, 2026 10:52
Driven by peak summer electricity demand in China, Japan and South Korea, Asia's seaborne thermal coal imports are projected to rise from 70.31 million tonnes in June to 73.16 million tonnes in July. China, the region's largest importer, is expected to receive 28.14 million tonnes of thermal coal in July, the highest level this year, as domestic coal production fell 9.7% year-on-year in June following intensified mine safety inspections while thermal power generation continued to expand. Imports are also forecast to increase to 10.46 million tonnes for Japan and 8.54 million tonnes for South Korea. Stronger buying from these three major importers has provided solid support for the seaborne thermal coal market, lifting the weekly Newcastle 6,000 kcal/kg thermal coal index to a four-week high of US$132.76/t. Meanwhile, although the SGX 4,200 kcal/kg Indonesian coal contract has retreated from its recent peak, it remains 38% above its low at the beginning of the year. In contrast, India's seaborne thermal coal imports are expected to decline to 10.88 million tonnes in July due to elevated import prices, highlighting a divergence in Asian thermal coal demand.

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