【Russian Strike Kills Seven and Halts Zaporizhstal; Coking Coal Demand Impact Tentatively Bearish】

Australia exported 86.4 million tonnes of coking coal in January–July 2026, up 2.7% year on year. July exports reached 12.28 million tonnes, representing a 4.6% year-on-year increase. By destination, India’s imports of Australian coking coal fell 13% to 20.4 million tonnes, while Japan’s purchases rose 10% to 18.7 million tonnes and China’s surged 62% to 9.3 million tonnes. Calculations based on the reported figures show that the combined increase in shipments to China and Japan exceeded the decline in shipments to India, broadly accounting for Australia’s overall export growth.

Russian coal exports to Türkiye fell by 22.9% year on year to 12.1 million tonnes in the first half of 2026, a decline of 3.6 million tonnes. Türkiye’s combined imports of thermal coal, coking coal and anthracite decreased by 9.0% to 18.2 million tonnes, while Russia’s market share dropped from 78.5% to 66.5%. Colombian deliveries rose by 38.9% to 2.5 million tonnes, while Kazakh supplies doubled to 1.6 million tonnes. Their combined increase of around 1.5 million tonnes offset approximately 42% of the reduction in Russian shipments. The source said Russian producers were exporting at zero or negative margins, with shipments through southern and northwestern ports operating at a loss amid constrained rail capacity and rising rail tariffs. If these pressures persist, Russia could lose further share in the Turkish market.

Coal India Limited signed a memorandum of understanding with ArcelorMittal Nippon Steel India on August 12 to explore the construction of a coal gasification facility adjacent to or within the company’s Paradip pellet plant in Odisha. The proposed facility would produce synthesis gas and incorporate carbon capture, utilisation and storage technology. The companies currently plan only to assess the project’s technical and commercial feasibility, examine implementation options and prepare a Preliminary Feasibility Report.