In the financial year 2024 (April 2023–March 2024), India imported approximately 265 million metric tons of coal, the highest volume in recent years, according to the Ministry of Coal, Government of India. This includes both thermal coal (used primarily for power generation) and coking coal (used mainly for steel production). Specifically:
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Coking Coal: Imports rose 6% year-on-year to 57.89 million metric tons in FY 2024, driven by increased steel demand and lower seaborne prices. Australia supplied 60% (34.81 million tons), followed by the US (8.39 million tons) and Russia (5.76 million tons).
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Thermal Coal: While exact FY 2024 thermal coal import figures are not fully detailed, total coal imports (including thermal) were reported at 265 million metric tons, suggesting thermal coal constitutes the majority, given its dominance in prior years (e.g., 197.84 million tons in 2019). Indonesia supplied nearly 60% of thermal coal, followed by South Africa (14%).
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Historical Data: Imports fluctuated recently—234.15 million short tons (212.37 million metric tons) in 2022, 210.81 million short tons (191.24 million metric tons) in 2021, and a peak of 266.44 million short tons (241.62 million metric tons) in 2019.
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Decline in FY 2025: Early data for FY 2025 (April 2024–March 2025) shows a 1.4% decline to 241.77 million metric tons, reflecting stronger domestic supply.
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Sources: Indonesia (60% of total imports), Australia, South Africa, Russia, and the US are primary suppliers. Russia’s share has grown, with a 25% surge in January 2025 ($339.1 million).
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Purpose: Coking coal imports address domestic shortages for steelmaking, while thermal coal supplements power generation, despite India’s vast reserves (second-largest producer globally).
India’s largest private ports and logistics company, Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone (APSEZ), has acquired the North Queensland Export Terminal (NQXT) in Australia in a non-cash deal worth about $2.54bn.
The transaction involves the purchase of Abbot Point Port Holdings (APPH), a Singapore-based entity currently owned by Carmichael Rail and Port Singapore holdings, which is a related party and owns and operates the NQXT deepwater coal export facility.
The terminal, with a nameplate capacity of 50 mtpa, is located at the Port of Abbot Point, some 25 km north of Bowen, in North Queensland on Australia’s east coast.
It is under a long-term lease from the Queensland Government and currently supports eight major customers through long-term “take or pay” contracts and exports to 15 countries, with 88% of shipments going to Asia.
Ashwani Gupta, CEO of APSEZ, said the acquisition is a “pivotal step” in the group’s international strategy, opening new export markets and securing long-term contracts, adding that the terminal is well-positioned for strong growth, backed by increased capacity, upcoming contract renewals, and future opportunities in green hydrogen exports.
As part of the deal, Adani Ports will also assume other non-core assets and liabilities on Abbot Point Port’s balance sheet, which the company will realise within a few months of the deal and aims to take the port’s EBITDA growth to A$400m within four years.
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