Coal exports from terminals in Virginia's Hampton Roads totaled 3.17 million st in May, up 19.3% from the prior month and up 84.3% from the year-ago month, according to export data released by the Virginia Maritime Association.
Strong month-on-month gains were posted in two of the three terminals at Hampton Roads as US coal provided coverage for shipments lost or delayed in April and May as a result of damage caused by Cyclone Debbie in Australia.
At the three individual terminals in Hampton Roads, Pier IX, based in Newport News, Virginia, exported 977,214 st in May, up 92% from the previous month and up 303.7% compared with the year-ago month.
Year to date, coal exports at the terminal, which is owned and operated by Kinder Morgan, total 3.9 million st, up 194% from last year.
Dominion Terminal Associates, based in Newport News, exported 1.02 million st in May, up 15.5% from the prior month and up 39% from last year.
For the year, exports at the terminal -- which is owned by Arch Coal and Contura Energy -- total 4.36 million st, up 29.7% from last year.
Lambert's Point, also known as Pier 6, exported 1.17 million st in May, down 7.3% from April but up 57.6% from last year.
For the year, coal exports through the terminal -- which is owned and operated by Norfolk Southern -- total 6.3 million st, up 55% compared with the year-ago period.