Export Markets Buoy U.S. Coal Prices

Export Markets Buoy U.S. Coal Prices

Summary Coal market prices rallied in September, supported by firmer natural gas prices and strong export demand. US coal exports are expected to rise year over year, but overall volumes are expected to fall as domestic thermal demand remains sensitive to the price of gas. Elevated coal stockpiles in 2026 may further limit demand heading […]

Asia, Europe lift US thermal coal exports in August

US thermal coal exports climbed from year-earlier levels for a sixth straight month in August, showing continued gains in interest from buyers in some parts of Asia and Europe earlier in the year. An estimated 3.78mn short tons (3.43mn metric tonnes) of steam coal departed US ports in August, preliminary figures from US Commerce Department […]

US coal export gains extend into July

US thermal coal exports rose from year-earlier levels for a fifth consecutive month in July, led by greater shipments to some parts of Asia, northern Africa and Europe. An estimated 3.96mn short tons (3.59mn metric tonnes) of US steam coal departed US ports during the month, up from 3.05mn st in July 2025, preliminary figures […]

US coal exports top 2 million mt as India leads thermal surge: CAS

US seaborne coal exports hit 2.10 million metric tons in the week ended Aug. 23, up 37% from the prior week, according to Aug. 25 data from S&P Global Commodities at Sea. Thermal coal shipments surged 104% week over week to 1.08 million mt, while met coal exports climbed 2% to 1.03 million mt. Platts, part […]

Towhey: White House looks to coal for power, exports

While America’s pursuit of rare earth metals makes the most headlines, the Trump administration turned the spotlight on the nation’s biggest mining export success: Coal. For rare earths, the primary challenge is building domestic processing capacity to reduce dependence on Chinese refiners. That effort is expected to require years of investment in new facilities, technology […]

National Coal Council says U.S. coal exports limited by regulations, port bottlenecks

The United States possesses the world’s largest coal reserves and is becoming an increasingly important global supplier, but its ability to expand offshore sales is heavily constrained by prohibitive regulatory burdens, tax structures and severe infrastructure bottlenecks on the West Coast, according to a report released, by the National Coal Council. The report, titled “Outlook […]

US thermal coal exports rise for third month in May

US thermal coal exports rose from year-earlier levels in May primarily because of continued jumps in sub-bituminous shipments. An estimated 4.19mn short tons (st) (3.8mn metric tonnes) of steam coal departed US ports on its way to international customers, according to Commerce Department data released on Tuesday. That compared with 3.93mn st exported in May […]

Trump announces $700m coal investment using wartime powers

Donald Trump plans to invest hundreds of millions of dollars to revive the US coal industry, with much of the new funding coming through the president’s wartime powers. “So today we’re taking historic action to bring down the price of energy and the cost of living for all Americans with the power of clean, beautiful […]

US steam coal exports edge higher in April

US thermal coal exports rose for a second consecutive month in April after seaborne demand and prices jumped in the early stages of the US-Israeli war with Iran. Shipments of US steam coal and anthracite climbed to 4.29mn short tons (3.89mn metric tonnes) in the month from a revised 4.1mn st a year earlier, according […]

US coal producers squeezed as Iran crisis lifts demand and costs

US coal miners are gearing up to boost exports as the Iran crisis rattles energy markets, but soaring production and transport costs are complicating their ability to ship more tonnes. The blockage in the Strait of Hormuz has boosted demand for coal in European and Asian markets, which are increasing their use of coal-fired power plants. US […]