South Korea thermal coal import volumes reached 11.17 million mt September, rising 26% month on month and the highest monthly figure on record since S&P Global Platts began collecting the data in 2012, according to customs data released Wednesday.
Indonesia was the largest source of coal September, exporting 3.77 million mt, a 35% rise month on month and the largest monthly volume from Indonesia since February 2013.
Australia exported 3.01 million mt September, a 5% fall from August's year-to-date high, but a 18% rise year on year. September was the first time since June this year that Australia exports were lower than Indonesia, and the two countries represent more than 60% of total South Korea coal imports.
Russia exports to South Korea were 1.68 million mt, down 13% month on month and down 5% year on year.
Imports from Canada more than doubled month on month to 843,005 mt September, the highest since August 2013.
Of other origins, imports from Colombia rose 32% month on month and 77% year on year to 381,373 mt, imports from South Africa fell 46.32% month on month and were largely unchanged year on year at 262,020 mt, imports from the US reached 117,308 mt and remained sporadic after having no volumes August, while imports from China rose more than twofold month on month and fell 25% year on year to 155,385 mt.
