Utilities set up Q1 supplies amid tight markets

摘要

A Central Appalachian thermal coal supplier noted that “coal’s still pretty tight; we’ve got to beat our suppliers over the head to get our coal delivered ... They either can’t mine it fast enough or somebody’s giving them more money.” This is the situation faced by eastern U.S. coal suppliers as utilities line up first-quarter shipments. Both suppliers and utilities are counting on the railroads to stay up to par in service to replenish stockpiles that by all accounts are lower than normal, given the early start to winter. International business, meanwhile, is taking a breather.