Australia will be the largest exporter of metallurgical coal over the remainder of 2010 and in 2011, accounting for 67 percent of forecast world trade in 2010, which is equal to 241 million metric tons, according to a report released by the Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics - Bureau of Rural Sciences (ABARE-BRS).
Metallurgical coal exports from Australia's Gladstone and Dalrymple Bay ports were affected by above average rainfall in the second quarter of 2010, and further disruptions were expected in the third quarter as a result of scheduled maintenance shutdowns.
For 2010 as a whole, Australia's exports are forecast to increase by 20 percent to 162 million metric tons. In 2011, Australia's exports are forecast to rise by a further four percent to 169 million metric tons, reflecting planned expansions to production capacity and an assumed return to average seasonal conditions.