Indonesia: Non-coking coal exports record 10% y-o-y increase in CY'24

• Exports to Vietnam see sharpest growth at 63% y-o-y
  
  
• East Kalimantan emerges as top coal-exporting region
  
  

Indonesia's non-coking coal exports saw a notable 10% y-o-y rise in CY'24, driven by robust demand across Asia. Total shipments touched 395.20 million tonnes (mnt), compared to 360.58 mnt in CY'23, demonstrating Indonesia's robust ability to meet global energy demand.

Key Asian export markets

China continued to be the leading importer of Indonesian non-coking coal in CY'24, receiving shipments of 105.06 mnt, a 1.5% rise from 103.55 mnt in CY'23. This reflects consistent demand despite efforts to curb import dependence.

India, the second-largest importer, took in 102.20 mnt of Indonesian non-coking coal in CY'24, marking a 1.3% increase from 100.9 mnt in CY'23. This highlights its ongoing dependence on Indonesian coal to fuel its expanding energy and industrial sectors.

In CY'24, the Philippines saw an 18.6% y-o-y increase in Indonesian non-coking coal imports, which totalled 35.15 mnt. This surge was driven by rising energy demand from infrastructure and industrial expansion.

South Korea's imports grew 23% y-o-y to 27.18 mnt, while Vietnam experienced a significant 63% y-o-y surge to 23.53 mnt, reflecting heightened coal demand in both nations. Exports to Vietnam witnessed the sharpest growth among all countries.

Malaysia's non-coking coal imports grew 12.5% in CY'24 to 23.92 mnt, driven by the country's expanding energy needs for industrial development.

Japan's imports rose 15.8% to 20.57 mnt, as it continues to rely on coal due to constraints in domestic energy resources and slow progress in renewable energy expansion.

Port-wise performance

Exports from Indonesia's main coal-loading hubs, Taboneo and Muara Pantai, surged by 25% to 65.58 mnt and 150% to 33.19 mnt in CY'24, respectively, compared to 52.34 mnt and 13.28 mnt in CY'23. This growth reflects enhanced port infrastructure and increased vessel activity to meet higher demand.

In contrast, Samarinda saw a significant 35.77% drop to 54.57 mnt in CY'24 from 84.96 mnt in CY'23, likely due to logistical challenges, weather disruptions, or shifts in coal trade routes in the region.

Region-wise performance

According to data maintained by BigMint, in CY'24, East Kalimantan was the leading coal-exporting region in Indonesia, with a total of 198.29 mnt, reflecting a 2.76% increase from 192.96 mnt in CY'23.

South Kalimantan ranked second, with exports touching 126.94 mnt in CY'24, marking a 12% y-o-y growth from 113.29 mnt. Additionally, shipments from Sumatra and North Kalimantan totalled 53.75 mnt and 16.22 mnt, respectively, representing y-o-y increases of 32.54% and 17.69%.

Outlook

Indonesia's coal exports in CY'25 are expected to remain range-bound, driven by demand from China and India, though global shifts to cleaner energy may gradually reduce future demand.