India: RINL issues tender for 200,000 t imported boiler coal, bids due 27 Apr26

• RINL floats tender for 200,000 t boiler coal, bids due 27 Apr'26
  
  
• API 4-linked pricing with likely reverse auction; sourcing seen from Indonesia, South Africa
  
  

Rashtriya Ispat Nigam Limited (RINL), which operates the Visakhapatnam Steel Plant, has invited global bids for the procurement of 200,000 tonnes (t) of imported boiler coal, with the submission deadline set for 27 April 2026.

The company plans to source the material in four shipments of 50,000 t each (10%), with an overall shipping tolerance of 10%. The procurement is likely to be split across multiple suppliers, typically following a 70:30 allocation between L1 and L2 bidders, subject to matching the lowest Landed Net Input Price (LNIP).

Staggered delivery schedule

Deliveries will be executed in a phased manner, with laycan timelines linked to the award date. The first shipment is scheduled within 30 days, followed by the second, third, and fourth shipments within 60, 90, and 120 days, respectively, from the date of letter of intent or acceptance of tender.

Stringent eligibility criteria

RINL has prescribed detailed pre-qualification criteria for bidders. Coal producers must have a minimum production capacity of 300,000 t per year and prior experience of supplying at least 50,000 t of imported boiler coal over the past five years (April 2021-March 2026).

Market outlook

The tender underscores steady import demand for thermal coal from India's steel sector, particularly for captive power generation. Market participants expect sourcing interest from Indonesia and South Africa, given the specification range and index linkage, while freight dynamics and benchmark prices are likely to influence bidder participation.