Indonesia Becomes Largest Coal Supplier to China

SHANGHAI, Nov. 2 (SMM) -- China imported 19.11 million mt of coal in September, a record high ever since, with Indonesia the largest source.

China's coal imports came from Indonesia were 6.6761 million mt in September, accounting for 34.94% of the total volume. YTD coal imports through September from Indonesia were 42.7787 million mt, accounting for 34.68% of total coal imports.

Indonesia, Australia, Mongolia, South Africa and Vietnam are the five largest coal suppliers to China. Coal imports from Australia were 3.4431 million mt in September, accounting for 18.01% of total imports; imports from Mongolia were 2.3236 million mt, accounting for 6.93% of total imports.

Thermal coal exports from Indonesia will grow fastest, but its coal exports will be also hampered by unsound infrastructure of ports or transportation, as well as power shortages. There is 21 billion mt of coal reserves contained in the remote areas of Papua, Sumatra and Kalimantan. While Australia is a major source of coking coal to China, Mongolia has become the largest coking coal supplier to China for now.