Traded volumes of Atlantic market coal derivatives in November surged 47% on the year to 312.13 million mt, according to data from the London Energy Brokers' Association Monday.
In January-November, total Atlantic volumes rose to 2.84 billion mt, up 28% on the year.
Sources said annual volumes for coal derivatives are set to break through the 3 billion mt threshold for the very first time this year.
The large increase was mainly driven by greater liquidity in the Europe delivered CIF ARA thermal coal market, with traded volumes in November jumping 55% year on year to 278 million mt.
One London-based trading source said greater interest in options trading has bolstered European market volumes this year.
South African Richards Bay volumes were up 4% on the year to 34.13 million mt in November.
However, January-November Richards Bay volumes were 288.46 million mt, a drop of 29% from a year earlier.
