Source expresses doubts steel companies can pay going rate for coal long-term

摘要

U.S. metallurgical coal suppliers are pressing for something near the established Australian benchmark price for high-quality products in deals with European buyers, and reports indicate some are getting very similar numbers. Still, it's unclear how many transactions have already taken place between the two parties, and the length of term in the high-priced agreements also may vary. "Some of the U.S. guys are trying to get $325 East Coast (per) metric tonne, but I hear the Europeans are balking at that, and the Brazilians as well," a source told US Coal Review. "(U.S. suppliers) are trying to ask for a year, and they (buyers) are saying 'no way we will do that for a year. We may have to do it reluctantly for a quarter, but not a year.' These deals have to be struck soon, but I am not hearing about a lot of deals getting done on the European side."