Market uncertain over US thermal import potential

摘要

the us could play a pivotal role in determining the direction for Atlantic Basin coal prices this year, but whether it will support the market by soaking up Colombian tonnes or depress prices by flooding Europe with coal that it would struggle to sell domestically, remains a hot topic amongst traders and analysts. Cold winter weather in the US has certainly created an opportunity for Colombian miners to sell product into the US, by drawing down gas stocks and pushing up prices for spot natural gas prices at Henry Hub to more than $6/mmBTU in February from less than $2/mmBTU in April last year. Currently prices are $4.57/mmBTU.