November 21, 2008

Chinese coal exports in February 2008 down by 45% YoY

Xinhua reported that Chinese ports shipped 45.5 million tonnes of commodity coal in February 2008 up by 32%YoY, which included 43.55 million tonnes for domestic market up by 40.4% and 1.95 million tonnes for overseas market down by 45%.

According to analysts, more coal was shipped to southern China, which suffered heavy snowfalls earlier this year. So far, major power plants of snow hit areas have stored coal enough for 14 day consumption.

Statistics show that, the throughput of China's major ports amounted to 430 million tonnes up by 12% but 10% points lower than 2007. Meanwhile, the container throughput of these ports reached 8.9 million twenty foot equivalent units up by 12.4%.