Export coal barge rates rose this month on higher international demand. Domestic rates fell as utility interest waned. Export demand has remained steady but is down from its peak at the start of 2017. More than 10 vessels have been sold over the last month for export through the end of the year. US coal exports through New Orleans, Louisiana, have skyrocketed this year, US Census Bureau data show. Shipments through August totaled 6.9mn st (6.27mn t), up by 136pc from 2.9mn st last year. More than half of this year’s volume was exported in the first three months as part of the demand spike that began in November 2016.
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