For the first time, Indonesia contributed more than 50% of global coal exports during the period January to October 2023. China became the main destination country for Indonesian coal shipments. Quoting Reuters, Friday (10/11/2023), Kpler data shows that Indonesia's thermal coal exports exceeded 413 million metric tons during the first ten months of 2023. This figure then establishes the country's status as the largest exporter of high-emission electrical fuel. Meanwhile, it is known that there are the top 3 destination countries for sending Indonesian coal. China was the first.
1.China China, together with Hong Kong, is the main destination for Indonesian coal, with imports of 183 million tons until October 2023. These shipments amount to 44% of Indonesia's total exports. This figure then increased by 33% compared to the same period in 2022. This illustrates an increase in China's industrial activity in 2023, when compared to the level of demand which was hampered by the pandemic last year. Based on Bisnis records, the main destination country for sending Indonesian coal is experiencing abundant stocks so that imports will decrease in October 2023.Based on data from the General Administration of Customs of China, coal imports reached 35.99 million metric tons in October 2023, down 14.6% from 42.14 million tons in the previous month. Meanwhile, total coal imports during the first 10 months of this year reached 383.64 million metric tons, up 66.8% from the same period in 2022 (year-on-year/yoy). Officials from the National Energy Administration (NEA) said last week that power generation stocks reached a record high of around 200 million tons. Considering this, Deputy Chairman of the Coal Transportation and Distribution Association (CCTD) Li Xuegang said that most power plants currently do not need to increase their stock.
2.India India is also the second largest buyer of Indonesian coal, reaching around 20% or 82 million tonnes. Quoting Reuters, India's Ministry of Electricity also asked utility companies to import 6% of their coal needs until March 2024. This is due to increasing demand for electricity and inadequate domestic coal supplies. Meanwhile, concerns are also increasing over shrinking coal stocks at power plants, where coal supplies experienced their fastest decline in two years in the first half of October. To maintain stocks amidst increasing consumption, the ministry asked companies to mix imported coal with domestic coal, to maintain stocks amidst increasing consumption.
3. Philippines The Philippines is also in third place, with purchases with a share of 7.2% or around 30 million tons. Quoting from the Manila Bulletin, according to Energy Minister Raphael PM Lotilla, the Indonesian government has guaranteed a sustainable supply of coal that can be used by power plants. "Our bilateral relationship with Indonesia ensures that the Philippines will have continued access to regular coal supplies. As you know, nearly 80% of our coal supply for coal-fired power plants and for non-power purposes comes from abroad - and 98 "% of the imported coal comes from Indonesia," said the Philippine Minister of Energy. Meanwhile, Lotilla spoke with the Indonesian Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Arifin Tasrif. Electricity supply in the Philippines still largely depends on coal-fired power plants. Therefore, it is important that this supply is not disrupted, because this is one of the sure formulas to make the Filipino people avoid the difficulties of power outages.
Author: Jessica Gabriela Soehandoko
source: https://market.bisnis.com/read/20231110/94/1713083/3-negara-tujuan-ekspor-batu-bara-ri-china-no-1