SOUTH AFRICA Barry Baxter updates on South Africa's 2009 exports and railway logistics

摘要

South African exports over 2009 are expected to show little change from those of 2008. As at the end of October 2009, 48.8 million t had been exported, compared to 61.8 million t over 2008. A recent report from the Richards Bay Coal Terminal (RBCT) gave a provisional figure of 61 million t for the full year 2009. The most dramatic change over the year to September against the full year 2008 has been the increase in exports to Asia, up from 4.4 million t to 13.5 million t, with a forecast of 16.5 million t by the end of the year. Europe has been the loser, down to 19.8 million t to September 2009 from 49.9 million t over 2008. However, the Netherlands are taking more South African coal, up to 8.5 million t from 2.4 million t over 2008.