Colombian coal exports in February fell 44% month on month to 4.067 million mt, which was 15.1% higher year on year, data from statistics agency DANE showed.
The fall to the the lowest monthly level since March 2013 came amid a ban on Drummond shipping coal because of the US miner's non-compliance with environmental regulations that coal terminals should have direct-loading systems in place from January 1.
Drummond shipments effectively stopped January 13, a week after the government imposed stoppage date of January 7.
It resumed coal loadings Tuesday after environmental authorities verified that the direct loading systems at Puerto Drummond were operational.
According to the DANE data, Colombia's February export coal sales volumes fell 49% month on month to $312 million FOB, which was 6.6% lower year on year and also at its lowest since March 2013.
The Platts monthly average for FOB Colombia 6,000 kcal/kg NAR thermal coal was $69.34/mt, down 4.6% from January. The weekly FOB Colombia 6,000 kcal/kg NAR price was assessed at $65.25/mt Friday.
Exports in February 2013 were hit by a month-long miners' strike at Colombia's largest thermal coal producer Cerrejon started on February 7, 2013, Drummond exports being banned because of a coal spillage incident and Fenoco nighttime coal rail transport being restricted due to noise pollution.
