Industry meets to enjoy a vintage year - and for a reality check

摘要

As key industry participants make their way to the vibrant Mediterranean city of Barcelona for this year's event, they must be tempted to reflect on what a year it has been: record prices across the board, serious supply shortages, and - as coal remains very competitive in the energy marketplace - everyone seemingly wanting more! As delegates assemble for this year's Coaltrans 2004, minds will go back to the Coaltrans gathering last year in Vienna -when it snowed as the plane landed! Memories of how strong the market seemed then to be, and how no-one could have anticipated the continuation of the bull market, or the extent of the price rises that have continued to dominate the market, along with what seemed acute supply shortages and a paralleled upsurge in freight rates may be hard to recall now.