Global seaborne coal exports decline for second straight week amid weaker Australian shipments

• Australian shipments weaken on maintenance-led disruptions
  
  
• Indonesian and Atlantic exporters cushion global decline
  
  

Global seaborne coal shipments fell 7% w-o-w to 17.26 million tonnes (mnt) in the week ended 12 June 2026, from 18.55 mnt a week earlier, according to BigMint data. The decline was largely driven by weaker Australian exports amid maintenance at Newcastle and softer Queensland loadings, although stronger shipments from Indonesia, South Africa, Colombia and Canada partially offset the losses.

Country-wise trends

Port & shipper-wise trends

Pacific flows

• Australian shipments totalled 6.84 mnt, led by Newcastle (2.89 mnt), DBCT (1.23 mnt) and Gladstone (1.20 mnt). Japan (2.21 mnt) and China (1.47 mnt) were the top destinations, while Glencore (0.80 mnt) and BHP (0.73 mnt) were the leading shippers.
  
  
• Indonesian shipments reached 5.94 mnt, with Taboneo (1.11 mnt) and Samarinda (0.87 mnt) as the key loading hubs. India (1.96 mnt), China (1.11 mnt) and the Philippines (0.63 mnt) were the top destinations.
  
  
• Canadian shipments stood at 1.02 mnt, led by Roberts Bank (0.57 mnt) and Vancouver (0.38 mnt). South Korea (0.45 mnt) and Japan (0.17 mnt) were the key destinations, while Elk Valley Resources (0.38 mnt) was the leading shipper.
  
  

Atlantic flows

• South African shipments stood at 1.27 mnt, with Richards Bay (1.27 mnt) as the sole export hub. India (0.48 mnt) and Pakistan (0.21 mnt) were the key destinations.
  
  
• US shipments totalled 1.15 mnt, led by Norfolk (0.47 mnt), Mobile (0.33 mnt) and Baltimore (0.28 mnt). India (0.30 mnt) and Turkey (0.16 mnt) were the top destinations.
  
  
• Colombian shipments reached 1.03 mnt, led by Puerto Nuevo (0.62 mnt) and Puerto Bolivar (0.35 mnt). Prodeco Group (0.68 mnt) and Cerrejon Mines (0.35 mnt) were the leading shippers, while Chile (0.17 mnt), South Korea (0.17 mnt) and the Netherlands (0.15 mnt) were the key destinations.
  
  

Pacific freight resilient; Atlantic sentiment subdued

Coal freight rates to India remained mixed during the week. Pacific routes stayed supported by balanced vessel supply and demand, while Atlantic freight softened amid limited cargo enquiries and subdued chartering activity. Lower bunker prices offered some cost relief but did little to lift overall market sentiment.

Outlook

Global coal exports are expected to remain mixed. Australian shipments may stay constrained by maintenance, while Indonesian exports should find support from regional demand. South African volumes will hinge on rail performance, with Atlantic demand likely to dictate US and Colombian exports. Freight sentiment is expected to remain mixed, with the Pacific market continuing to outperform the Atlantic.