South Korea: Indonesian freight prices rise 9%, Australian route edges higher in latest KEPCO tenders

• Tarahan-Goseong rate rises 9% from previous Indonesia fixture
  
  
• Gladstone-Boryeong rate up 1% from earlier Australia tender
  
  

South Korea's state-owned utility Korea Electric Power Corporation (KEPCO) remained active in the Panamax market, fixing vessels for coal shipments from Indonesia and Australia, offering fresh signals on freight trends across the Pacific basin.

KEPCO fixed the cargo for an 80,000 tonnes (t) coal cargo from Tarahan, Indonesia, to Goseong, South Korea, loading 03-08 July, at $9.94/dmt FIO. This was $0.82/dmt higher (+9%) than its previous TBCT-Samcheonpo fixture concluded at $9.12/dmt towards the end of last week, suggesting improved support for shorter-haul Indonesian trades amid steady utility demand.

For Australia, KEPCO booked an 80,000 t cargo from Gladstone to Boryeong, South Korea, loading 07-16 July, at $15.90/dmt FIO. The rate was $0.20/dmt higher (+1%) than the earlier Gladstone-Dangjin fixture at $15.70/dmt.

Australian route continued to command a premium of around 60% over the Indonesian trade, reflecting the significantly longer voyage distance and higher operating costs associated with east coast Australian coal exports.

The latest fixtures indicate that demand from Northeast Asian utilities continues to provide a steady flow of cargoes into the Pacific market. While Indonesian routes showed firmer freight sentiment with a notable increase, Australian trades remained relatively stable at elevated levels, supported by their longer haul distances.