CCC/197 ISBN 978-92-9029-517-4

May 2012

copyright © IEA Clean Coal Centre

Abstract

In recent years, there has been a convergence of international trade with traditional domestic markets,

with import increasing into many coal producing regions, the influence of trade on domestic markets

has been twofold. Firstly, imported coal displaces domestic production, and in doing so, secondly

international price trends may drive prices of what remains of the indigenous market for coal. While

international trade does not provide any additional benefits in terms of reduced CO2 at a coal-fired

power stations, importing coal provides many benefits, such as cost savings, improved coal quality,

enhanced supply diversity, and often fills a gap which is left where domestic supply is unable to fulfil.

This report examines the various factors that have led to rise in popularity of seaborne-traded coal,

and seeks to discuss the future of domestically produced coal in some of the major coal markets of the

world.

This report provides a global perspective of the changing trends in coal imports. Two separate reports

provide more detail of the Atlantic and Pacific markets.