World coal trade. [Exports or imports by country; 1960, 1974-1978]
World coal (anthracite and bituminous) trade in 1978 reached an estimated 199,083,000 metric tons, or slightly below the revised estimate of 201,472,000 tons traded in 1977. The total volume of coal moved in international trade in 1978 accounted for about 7.6% of the estimated production of bituminous and anthracite coals during the year. While the overall change in total world coal exports was minimal, changes occurred in the structure of the trade, some of them temporary, but did not materially affect the basic underlying strength of the international trade in coal. The constraints of higher prices, extensive and lengthy work stoppages in major supply sectors, and a generally modest demand for metallurgical coal on international markets were balanced by a steady growth in steam coal movements. Large metallurgical coal (and coke) stockpiles, an oversupply situation, exerted a downward pressure on coal prices, while increasing costs in coal mining and transportation (inland and ocean) displaced all but the most competitive coals in major markets. New availability of lower-priced, large-volume, steam coal supplies caused some redistribution of existing demand and absorbed new demand where the competitive edge and purchasers' planned diversification of supplies came into play. The background of rising costs of petroleum added a new perspective to planning the downstream coal demand and further strengthened the international steam coal outlook.
- OSTI ID:
- 5628596
- Journal Information:
- World Coal; (United States), Journal Name: World Coal; (United States) Vol. 5:11; ISSN WOCOD
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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