Alpha: Domestic consumers still hunger for all the coking coal they've lined up

摘要

The demand for U.S.-produced steel in the next several months remains uncertain, but requirements for coking coal don't appear to be dwindling among domestic consumers. At least from the perspective of Alpha Natural Resources, the need for met coal products in the domestic market remains strong. While there might not be a lot of new spot business being conducted of late, Alpha's customers apparently aren't trying to delay any shipments as the year progresses. "We are shipping every ton we can get out the door to the domestic folks," Paul Vining, Alpha's executive VP and chief commercial officer, said. "We are not stacking coal up or getting push back. We are scrambling to meet obligations, and we are about to head into some discussions in the next month or two relative to next year.