Russian coal exports are predicted to increase after 2024 with infrastructure projects coming into operation, TASS reported, citing Deputy Energy Minister Sergey Mochalnikov.
The optimistic outlook is linked to the expansion of the Eastern Range railroad and the implementation of the Elga port in the Khabarovsk Region, alongside the Pacific Railroad projects.
In 2024, Mochalnikov predicted coal exports to stay a similar level to 2023, although the country failed to preserve exports at the 2022 level in 2023.
Russia's coal exports reached 212.5 million tonnes for the full year of 2023, down 3.9% from a year ago; its production dipped 1.1% to 438.7 million tonnes, TASS reported.
Despite the rollout of infrastructure projects, Russian coal exports are exposed to sanctions imposed by western countries, as well as other challenges, which would continue to weigh on the growth in the following years.
In a separate forecast released last month, the energy ministry expected Russia's coal exports to plummet 30% by 2030 from the 2021 level unless massive investments are funneled into railway construction.
(Writing by Alex Guo Editing by Harry Huo)
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