The shutdown of coal mining operations in the occupied regions is having an impact on cargo traffic. Export of coal by rail reduced almost three-fold to 191,000 tons in August, compared with July 2014 (and with August 2013).
According to analysts from CFTS Consulting, export of coal will most likely disappear altogether in the near future.
Exports by rail totaled 5.3 million tons in 2013. At the same time, the fall in coal imports in August was much less at 19% compared to August of last year (m/m). Import of coke for coking reduced by 35% (m/m).
At the same time, imports of thermal coal increased. The volume of anthracite (74,000 tons) was more than the volume that was imported in the first seven months of 2014 (14,000 tons) and more than the volume that was imported in the entire 2013 (24,000 tons).
