Coal imports to maintain growth in 2013
Updated: 2012-12-22 21:13
(Xinhua)
|
|||||||||
TAIYUAN- China coal imports are expected to maintain growth in 2013, sustaining supply from major exporters like Indonesia and Australia, industry experts said.
Coal imports in the first eleven months this year reached 245 million tonnes, up 34.9 percent from a year earlier, according to China Coal Transportation and Distribution Association.
Full year imports are forecast to hit 270 million tonnes.
Wang Zhanjun, head of the association, told a summit held in China's major coal-producing province of Shanxi that he expected imports to maintain "high levels" next year.
The country became a net coal importer in 2009.
The amount of imported coal has grown steadily over the past three years due to the decline of prices in the international market and low shipping costs, said experts attending the 2013 China Coal Market Summit.
Globally, the demand for coal continued to drop this year, influenced by the sluggish economy in the developed world and the development of shale gas in the United States, said Han Lei, an analyst with www.cctd.com.cn, an industry website run by the association.
Meanwhile, the supply from major coal exporters like Indonesia and Australia has been growing, creating strains of over supply, Han added. Most of China's imported coal comes from Indonesia.
The country's coal production is expected to hit 3.7 billion tonnes this year, according to China Coal Industry Association.
However, consumption grew at a slower pace, chipping away at corporate profits. Data shows combined profits at 90 major Chinese coal producers plunged 22.2 percent from a year earlier between January and October this year.
- China's coal output to top 3.7b tons
- Coal mine blast kills 6 in central China
- China's coal imports to grow 48% this year
- Four rescued from flooded coal mine
- Shanxi’s coal oven gas technology wins national award
- Tianjin coal port is where his heart is
- Jincheng: The coal city that's turning green
- Coal city seeks more eco-friendly path
- Relief reaches isolated village
- Rainfall poses new threats to quake-hit region
- Funerals begin for Boston bombing victims
- Quake takeaway from China's Air Force
- Obama celebrates young inventors at science fair
- Earth Day marked around the world
- Volunteer team helping students find sense of normalcy
- Ethnic groups quick to join rescue efforts
Most Viewed
Editor's Picks
Supplies pour into isolated villages |
All-out efforts to save lives |
American abroad |
Industry savior: Big boys' toys |
New commissioner
|
Liaoning: China's oceangoing giant |
Today's Top News
Health new priority for quake zone
Xi meets US top military officer
Japan's boats driven out of Diaoyu
China mulls online shopping legislation
Bird flu death toll rises to 22
Putin appoints new ambassador to China
Japanese ships blocked from Diaoyu Islands
Inspired by Guan, more Chinese pick up golf
US Weekly
Beyond Yao
|
Money power |