Steel market uncertainty on China virus trumps met coal disruptions

摘要

London—Coking coal markets are facing a new setback in demand this month, as the coronavirus outbreak dents steel consumption and output in China, according to industry sources. This has injected uncertainty for spot met coal buying elsewhere, dependent on steel market visibility, as coal supply disruptions mount. China, a major spot coking coal buyer, is factoring weaker steel demand after the Lunar New Year holidays due to disruption from efforts to contain the spread of the coronavirus.