{
  "id": 15730322,
  "title": "Seaborne coal trade rebounds as Asian energy crisis reshapes global flows",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/20/seaborne-coal-trade-rebounds-as-asian-energy-crisis-reshapes-global",
  "topic": "finance",
  "section": "Finance & Markets",
  "published": "2026-10-20T10:00:59.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Hellenic Shipping News",
    "slug": "hellenic-shipping-news",
    "url": "https://www.hellenicshippingnews.com/seaborne-coal-trade-rebounds-as-asian-energy-crisis-reshapes-global-flows/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Global seaborne coal trade has rebounded in 2026, contrary to the decline observed in the previous year, as a result of changes in Asian energy demand and disruptions in liquefied natural gas (LNG) shipments, according to new insights from global shipbroker IFCHOR GALBRAITHS (IG). Seaborne coal exports grew by 3% year-on-year from January to September 2026, following a 4% decline in the same period last year. The recovery is attributed to disruptions in LNG shipments through the Strait of Hormuz, which prompted Asian power utilities to increase coal purchases. The IG's Coal Markets Companion Report highlights a market characterized by divergent regional demand and shifting trade routes. During the third quarter, Asian seaborne thermal coal imports remained steady at approximately 550 million tonnes, with declines in China (-7%) and India (-10%) being offset by a 10% rise in seaborne imports from the rest of Asia, led by South Korea, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Japan, and Vietnam. Laura Gomez, Research & Advisory at IFCHOR GALBRAITHS, noted that the rebound in seaborne coal trade is noteworthy despite falling imports in China and India. The demand is shifting towards other Asian markets, partly due to LNG supply disruptions, while changes in sourcing are influencing established trade routes. The report cautions that it is crucial to consider beyond just the headline coal consumption figures to fully understand the dynamics in seaborne coal trade. Supply side, Indonesia, which accounts for about 47% of global seaborne thermal coal trade, saw exports decrease by 7% during the same period, including a 16% drop in the third quarter. IG predicts a further easing of Indonesian coal exports to approximately 450 million tonnes by 2030. On the supply side, metallurgical coal displayed a different pattern, with global seaborne trade increasing by 10% year-on-year from January to September 2026, driven by stronger demand from China. Australian metallurgical coal exports surged by 13%, with shipments to China nearly doubling. The findings complement the launch of Coal 360, IG's latest Commodities 360 market intelligence service, building on its existing research on iron ore, agriculture, and bauxite. Coal 360 offers comprehensive analysis of global thermal and metallurgical coal markets, including production, exports, trade flows, ports, vessel deployment, and forecasts. It also provides regular updates and access to IG's Research & Advisory team. This information is sourced from IFCHOR GALBRAITHS (IG).",
  "summary": "Global seaborne coal trade has returned to growth in 2026, reversing last year’s decline as disruption to LNG supplies and shifting Asian demand patterns reshape international coal flows, according to new research from global shipbroker IFCHOR GALBRAITHS (IG). Seaborne coal exports increased by 3% year-on-year in January–September 2026, following a 4% contraction in 2025. The ...",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}