Indonesian thermal coal prices were mixed Wednesday, with miners hesitant to offer cargoes loading next month amid uncertainty about the implementation of a new export regulation scheduled for October 1, sources said.
Platts assessed the price of FOB Kalimantan 4,200 kcal/kg GAR coal at $36.50/mt, down 25 cents/mt day on day, and FOB Kalimantan 3,800 kcal/kg GAR at $30.25/mt, up 15 cents/mt.
The daily 90-day price for FOB Kalimantan 5,000 kcal/kg GAR coal was assessed at $50.50/mt, up 25 cents/mt, with FOB Kalimantan 5,900 kcal/kg GAR coal unchanged at $62.50/mt.
An India-based trader said he had heard a deal for September loading, Supramax cargo of 4,200 kcal/kg GAR coal at $36.50/mt FOB.
Chinese buying interest for October-loading Supramax cargoes of 3,800 kcal/kg NAR coal -- 4,200 kcal/kg GAR -- was at $36-36.50/mt FOB, a China-based end-user said.
Offers for October-loading Supramax cargoes for 4,200 kcal/kg GAR coal were at $36.50-37.50/mt FOB, a Singapore-based trader said, adding some suppliers were shifting their laycan because they were not sure about the situation in October.
Several prompt-loading cargoes of 4,200 kcal/kg GAR coal were being offered in the Indian market, a second India-based trader said.
He was offered a Supramax cargo of 4,200 kcal/kg GAR coal for September 15-25 laycan at $36.50/mt FOB but "the validity of the offer was only one hour", he said, adding had bid $35.50/mt FOB.
Offers for September-loading Supramax cargoes of 4,200 kcal/kg GAR coal were at $37/mt FOB, said an Indonesia-based producer.
The second India-based trader said bids for 3,800 kcal/kg GAR coal were at $30/mt FOB or lower, adding he had not concluded any deals for this grade in the past few months because of muted demand.
The first India-based trader heard a deal for September-loading Supramax cargo of 3,800 kcal/kg GAR coal at $30.50/mt FOB, adding there was no significant demand for this grade otherwise.
Offers for October loading Supramax cargoes for 3,800 kcal/kg GAR coal were at $31-31.50/mt FOB, the Singapore-based trader said.
"We are getting a lot of bids from India, but their buying prices are too low at $25-26/mt FOB," the Indonesia-based producer said.
LIMITED DEMAND FOR MID CV
The mid CV coal market was sluggish amid limited demand.
Offers for October-loading 5,000 kcal/kg GAR coal to India were at $50-51/mt FOB for Supramax shipments and at $51-52/mt FOB for Panamax parcels, the Singapore-based trader said.
The second India-based trader was offered Panamax cargoes of single-mine 5,000 kcal/kg GAR coal at $52/mt FOB and blended coal at $51/mt FOB, both for October loading.
There were offers for blended cargo at cheaper levels, which was keeping single-mine prices under pressure, the Singapore-based trader said.
A third India-based trader said he had bought a Panamax cargo of 5,000 kcal/kg GAR single-mine coal at $52.50/mt FOB and another similar cargo with 1.8% sulfur at $51/mt FOB, both for October loading.
Offers for an October-loading Supramax cargo of 5,000 kcal/kg GAR coal were at $50.50-51/mt, the first India-based trader said, adding there was little firm inquiry for this grade.
The second India-based trader was offered a Panamax shipment of 5,800 kcal/kg GAR coal at $64/mt FOB, with counter bids not available.
The first India-based trader was offered a Capesize cargo of 5,800 kcal/kg GAR coal for delivery in the fourth quarter at $65/mt FOB.
