Australian coal exports from Gladstone rose in December
Australian producers shipped 6.6 million tons, mostly coking coal, from the port of Gladstone in December, which is 15% more than last year due to increased shipments to China and Japan.
- Coal exports from Gladstone Port may decrease in January. The American–Australian manufacturer Coronado suspended underground mining at its coal complex in Karraga in early January after the collapse of the mine roof with a fatal outcome. Underground work at the facility will be suspended until further notice, a representative of the Mammoth Underground operator told Argus on January 7.
- Chinese metallurgists purchased 1.2 million tons of Gladstone coal in December, which is 11% more than a year earlier. The Beijing Municipal Government[url=https://direct.argusmedia.com/newsandanalysis/article/2769600]took steps to support the urban housing market in December. This could increase demand for Australian coking coal, which is used in the steel industry, as Chinese developers are the main buyers of steel.
- Gladstone exports to Japan increased by 21% year-on-year to 2 million tons in December. Previously, Japanese steelmakers reduced their monthly purchases of Gladstone coal in August–November 2025. According to the December forecasts of the Japan Federation of Ferrous Metallurgy, the demand for steel in the country is expected to remain unchanged compared to the same period last year in the period April 2026 – March 2027.
- Australian coking coal prices are expected to fall to $140 per tonne on fob Australia terms by the end of 2026, according to Treasury forecasts released on December 17. Argus's price for premium low volatility fob hard metallurgical coal in Australia was last estimated at $218.55 per tonne on January 6, compared with $200.20 per tonne on January 6, 2025.
- Producers in Queensland, the main supplier of coking coal in Australia, the mining region, expect the company to export 208 million tons of licensed coal in the July 2025 —June 2026 fiscal year, the state government announced on December 15.