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The United States has experienced a significant increase in coal exports to Europe in the wake of the European Union's sanctions on Russian coal, according to the latest data from the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA).
Over the 12-month period following the full implementation of EU sanctions in August 2022, U.S. coal exports to Europe rose by 22%, contributing a rise of 5.7 million short tons (5.17 million tonnes) in total U.S. coal exports.
Europe, which previously received one-third of Russia's total coal exports, witnessed a shift in its coal supply dynamics. In 2021, prior to the Russia-Ukraine conflict and the subsequent sanctions, Europe imported 84.6 million short tons of coal from Russia.
However, after the ban on purchasing coal from Russia went into full effect in August 2022, imports from Russia virtually ceased. The United States, along with coal-exporting countries such as South Africa and Colombia, stepped in to fill the gap in Europe's coal supplies.
The U.S. coal industry capitalized on its position as a swing supplier in global thermal coal market, benefiting from its ability to provide higher-cost coal alternatives. U.S. thermal coal exports to Europe from August 2022 to July 2023 surged 51% compared to the previous 12-month period (August 2021–July 2022).
This increase, along with a 6% growth in exports to Asia, contrasted with declining U.S. thermal coal exports to Africa, Australia and Oceania, and North America.
The quality of U.S. thermal coal, which is comparable to that produced by Russia, made it a natural substitute in the European market. Both countries possess premium-quality bituminous coal with a high calorific value, facilitating the transition from Russian to American coal.
Metallurgical coal is primarily used in the production of iron and steel, resulting in its relatively stable demand. U.S. metallurgical coal exports to Europe amounted to 18.6 million short tons during August 2022-July 2023, up 6% compared with the previous 12-month period.
While exports to Europe saw a modest increase, U.S. metallurgical coal exports to other regions experienced mixed trends. Exports to South America picked up, but deliveries to Africa, Asia, Australia and Oceania, and the rest of North America declined.
Germany recently approved a plan to reactivate coal-fired power units until March 2024 to conserve natural gas supplies during the winter season, Reuters reported. This may further drive the demand for U.S. coal exports to Europe.
Christian Lindner, finance minister of Germany, publicly questioned the country's goal of phasing out coal-fired electricity by 2030, emphasizing the need for reliable and affordable energy sources, as reported by VOA on November 2.
(Writing by Riley Liang Editing by Harry Huo)
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