Indian imports to breach 100mt in 2012

摘要

INDIA'S thermal COAL imports are expected to break the 100mt barrier this year, which would be a 16% increase on the previous year's total of 86mt*. The first-half of 2012 has seen strong demand, with around 55mt imported according to a survey of Indian buyers/trader and international suppliers, especially in the second quarter. This is up from 47mt in the same period last year.With the delivery issues engulfing the Chinese market recently, India has replaced China as the buyer of last resort for suppliers looking to shift tonnes. Indian imports are being helped by a combination of low coal prices and cheap freight, which has helped trigger a surge in buying, mainly from Indian cement producers.