World trade in hard coal rose in 2018
(Posted on 21/07/19)
German Coal Importers Association e. V. (VDKi), which represents the interests of the imported hard coal market in Germany has announced that World Trade in Hard Coal Rose by 4.7% in 2018. The association believes that Hard Coal Can Prevent Stress in the Electric Power System in Germany.
Hard coal-fired power plants secure supply during load peaks, are not affected by the dark doldrums and prevent fluctuations in power tension that can cause major financial losses to private households and industry. The “Coal Commission” has proposed financial incentives for the construction of open-cycle gas turbines. These plants have a lower degree of efficiency, however, and a lot of money must be spent and a lot of resistance among the population must be overcome before they can be built while hard coal-fired power plants are available right now.
The exit from hard coal is already well under way even without the “Coal Commission”: in 2018, the volume of hard coal used for power generation declined by 16.3% (2017: -16.4%). A decline of 23% has accrued for 2019 so far. The hype regarding an exit decision for hard coal is not understandable.
Shutting down the best energy source that already exists for securing German power supply will not have any impact whatsoever on global climate. Countries such as Denmark, France, Great Britain and Canada have joined an alliance for the purpose of exiting coal quickly. Swedish scientists have calculated that this corresponds to 1/150 or 0.67% of the estimated emissions from hard-coal-fired power plants worldwide by 2050. Germany is not a member of this alliance, but wants to make a decision for the exit from coal in this year. This would save 0.25% of the estimated emissions from hard-coal-fired power plants worldwide up to 2050. Not a reason to put our power supply at risk.
The worldwide trend to more hard coal is unabated. World hard coal production in 2018 came to 7.1 billion tonnes – exceeding the high point of 2015. World trade has grown even faster. Take India as an example: according to IMF, the country will post the highest rate of economic growth worldwide in 2019 (7.2%). The energy demand in this country has not declined at all – despite its own production of 720 million tonnes (2018), the growing demand for coal can be covered solely by imports of 221 million tonnes (2018). Hard coal is not a discontinued model, but is instead securing economic growth in Asia. More information about this can be found in the latest Annual Report from the VDKi.
The VDKi currently has 59 members, whose plants consume about 80 % of the German hard coal requirement of around 47 million tonnes. Imported coal covers 100 % of Germany's coal requirements and thus represents the majority of the hard coal market in Germany with a financial volume in the billions. The association regularly examines the significance of the global hard coal markets for the European and German import hard coal markets, points out prospects for the further development of imports and regularly publishes statistics on German hard coal imports and prices.
Latest News
Metso expansion in Antofagasta elevates support for Chilean mining
(Posted on 15/08/25)Metso has completed the expansion of its service centre in Antofagasta, Chile, reinforcing its ability... Read more
Alcoa explores feasibility of gallium critical mineral production in WA
(Posted on 11/08/25)Alcoa of Australia Limited, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Alcoa Corporation has announced a Joint Development... Read more
Rio Tinto releases new tailings facilities disclosure
(Posted on 11/08/25)Rio Tinto has published detailed information on its global tailings facilities, in alignment with the... Read more
NGFA applauds Senate confirmation of Lindberg as USDA trade undersecretary
(Posted on 04/08/25)The National Grain and Feed Association (NGFA) has commended the U.S. Senate for confirming Luke... Read more
Cargill to acquire Mig-Plus, expanding animal nutrition business in Brazil
(Posted on 04/08/25)Cargill, one of the world’s leading food providers, continues to advance its growth strategy in... Read more
Resilient financial results as Rio Tinto grows and diversifies
(Posted on 30/07/25)Rio Tinto has announced a 6% production year-on-year uplift, thereby delivering on strategy through... Read more
K-SURE and Trafigura $200m financing agreement to support Korean shipping
(Posted on 30/07/25)The Korea Trade Insurance Corporation (K-SURE) and Trafigura, a global leader in the commodities industry... Read more
BHP record copper and iron ore production drives strong 2025 performance
(Posted on 21/07/25)BHP have released their Operational Review for the year ended 30 June 2025.BHP Chief Executive Officer... Read more
Dynamic Mining shipping arm and GeoServe’s one-year milestone
(Posted on 15/07/25)A strategic collaboration between Icon Gulf Trading DMCC (part of the Dynamic Group) and GeoServe Energy... Read more
SSAB and Metal Solutions start partnership in fossil-free steel
(Posted on 15/07/25)SSAB and Metal Solutions have entered a long-term partnership for the supply of decarbonized steel with... Read more
