Cerrejon Seeks to Recover Israel Coal Market After Colombia Lifts Export Ban

Cerrejon, a Colombian coal mining company, aims to resume shipments to Israel this year following the lifting of a ban imposed by Colombia. However, the process will be challenging due to the need to rebuild relationships with former customers who turned to alternative suppliers during the export restriction. Edgar Alfonso, Cerrejon's president, expects the company to produce 17 million metric tons of coal in 2026 and hopes to resume shipments before the year's end.

The resumption is considered a possibility rather than a certainty, as the company must rebuild relationships that were disrupted by the ban.

Colombia lifted the export ban on coal to Israel through Decree 0949 in 2025 and further relaxed it in August 2026. Prior to the ban, Cerrejon sent between 1 million and 2 million metric tons of coal to Israel annually. The ban not only reduced shipments but also forced buyers to seek alternative sources, such as South African coal and gas-fired power plants.

The Federation of Colombian Producers of Coal (Fenalcarbon) estimates that the ban resulted in a loss of about 3.5 million metric tons per year, valued at roughly US$200 million.

Despite the reopening of the market, Cerrejon faces a significant challenge in rebuilding the commercial relationships with its former customers. The company must negotiate new or renewed contracts and demonstrate its ability to maintain a reliable supply. Moreover, Cerrejon must overcome logistical issues, including security concerns such as blockades and attacks on its railway infrastructure, which have hindered the transportation of coal from its La Guajira mine to the Puerto Bolivar terminal.

These disruptions underscore the critical connection between security and the successful resumption of exports to Israel.