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U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information

Scrambling for US coal: empty ships wait months to load

Journal Article · · EUROPE; (United States)
OSTI ID:6242266
An explosion in worldwide demand for coal has caught the US coal transportation industry unprepared, leaving ships waiting as long as 80 days to be filled at American ports. Other inadequacies are seen in ground storage space and the system for moving coal from the mine to the harbors. The US needs to improve its port facilities and deepen its harbors by 1983 or angry trading partners may turn to competing markets in Australia and South Africa. Some European customers may build their own East Coast export facilities to ensure supply security. The export future of coal is expected to reach 200 million tons a year by the year 2000 after dropping to a near zero level in 1978. A combination of labor strikes, reduced Polish exports, larger ships, and coal-conversion programs by Europe's electric utilities is responsible for much of the congestion. Several improvements are planned for the ports of Baltimore, Norfolk, Savannah, New Orleans, Philadelphia, Portsmouth, and the Great Lakes. Europe is aware that the US is its major and most reliable coal source in spite of the present delays. (DCK)
OSTI ID:
6242266
Journal Information:
EUROPE; (United States), Journal Name: EUROPE; (United States) Vol. 225; ISSN ERPED
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English