Coking coal import up 18 per cent in FY14

Indian steel producers imported 33.1 million tonne (mt) of coking coal in 2013-14, an increase of 18 per cent over the previous comparable period, taking advantage of a price slump, said traders and analysts. Average prices were $111-$118 a tonne throughout the year in global markets, sharply lower than the $140 a tonne in 2012-13. With 7.5 mt imports, Mormugao was the largest landing port for coking coal from abroad, followed by Paradip with 7 mt. Visakhapatnam retained the third spot with import of 6.9 mt, according to data from the Indian Ports Association.