Coal exports from the U.S. Gulf to China have significantly increased during 2026. From January to September 2026, 918,364 tons of coal were shipped from this region to China, showing a remarkable growth compared to 51,726 tons during the same period last year.
Details of Coal Exports
Over 76 percent of total coal exports in 2026 were related to the months of August and September. This increase in exports has been particularly observed in the summer loading program at the end of the summer season. However, these numbers are still lower than the levels of 2024, when China accounted for 4.6 percent of total coal exports from the U.S. Gulf, while this figure reached 9.8 percent in 2024. Additionally, the weight of coal loaded to China was nearly 47 percent less than in 2024.
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Maritime Market Analysis and Its Effects
Analyses indicate that to increase loading towards the Atlantic, loading at the Gulf or East Coast of the U.S. must be increased. Meanwhile, loading at the Pacific Coast creates a different employment pattern. Redirecting coal loading from the U.S. to China instead of previous customers may change the global cargo volume without actual increases.
The Baltic Dry Index (BDI) has also decreased during this period, reaching 3,148 points, down 278 points from last week. The situation in the Capesize market has also been clearly weak, with various loading rates in this sector declining. For example, the loading rate for the China-Brazil route reached $41,814 per day, reflecting a decrease of $8,880 from last week.
Overall, the coal market faces various challenges and requires more precise analysis to predict future trends. In this regard, loading data and market conditions can play an important role in strategic decision-making.
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