According to Census Bureau data released, US coal exports climbed to 9.8 million short tons in March, up 48% on the year and 18% above February.
The bureau said that Q1 exports of 26.7 million short tons put full year volumes on pace to exceed 100 million short tons well above 82 million short tons in 2010. But severe flooding along inland waterways is likely to dent second quarter shipments. The Mississippi and Ohio rivers have reached record flood levels this spring and it is unclear when water levels will return to normal.
The river conditions have slowed barge traffic and could particularly hit exports through the Gulf Coast, which has become an increasingly busy exit point for coal.
Exports through New Orleans jumped to 4.8 million short tons in the first quarter, compared with just 1.2 million short tons in the same three months last year. East Coast shipments draw the bulk of seaborne traffic.
Coal exports from Norfolk, Virginia, terminals and ports in Baltimore, Maryland, totaled 17 million short tons in the first quarter, compared with 12 million short tons in the year ago period. West Coast shipments have also grown, reaching 1.7 million short tons in the first quarter from last year's 1.4 million short tons. Europe was the largest single destination for coal exports in the quarter at 11.8 million short tons, gaining from 8.6 million short tons a year earlier.
Source from www.steelguru.com |
