The news coincides with an encouraging report from the federal Energy Information Administration that predicts coal-fired electricity generation will increase 9% next year as natural gas loses its price advantage.

The coal rail shipper reportedly pushed the price of central Appalachian thermal coal higher in low-volume Tuesday swap deals.

According to a report by Platts, CSX coal swaps were limited to 2013 contracts with flat spreads between 2013 CSX financial and physical contracts.

The report found CSX financial Q1 2013 traded at $62.75 per ton for 5000t and CSX financial Q2 2013 traded at $64.10 per ton for 5000t.

Tuesday trading was reported to reflect modestly higher barge prices on low turnover. Q1 2013 traded at $60.25 per ton for five barges at $60.75 per ton for five barges three times.

Q2 2013 traded at $63 per ton for 20 barges and five barges three times while Q3 2013 traded at $65.25 per ton for five barges and at $65.40 for 20 barges.