Low US thermal coal stocks fuel rail concerns

摘要

US coking coal exporters are concerned that winter railroad capacity may be more strained than usual because of depleted thermal coal stocks at power plants. US coal-fred power plants’ requirements are likely to be prioritised in the event of another harsh winter. “We are extremely concerned,” a US coking coal producer said, noting that public pressure to keep the lights on will far outweigh any argument in favour of prioritising coking coal cargoes. Some other US market participants echoed this sentiment, con- cerned at the lack of elasticity in an overstretched infrastruc- ture network.