US Coal Exports in November 2021

Coal

US coal exports (excluding cargoes to Canada) were almost unchanged year-on-year in November 2021 at 5.9 Mt, official data show. Steam coal shipments edged up to 2.9 Mt, while coking coal exports slipped to 3.0 Mt. However, strong annual growth in the preceding months meant exports of all coal types in January-November were 14.0 Mt higher than the same period in 2020 at 66.8 Mt.

However, US coal export face disruption at the start of 2022 after the 14 Mtpa Curtis Bay Coal Piers at the Port of Baltimore were closed following an explosion at a coal transfer tower on 30 December. At the same time, economic activity along the US East Coast is being disrupted by severe winter storms with coastal areas experiencing heavy rains and snow.