Thermal coal was up 0.4% at $77.30 per tonne.

Some support appears to be coming from a pickup in European and Richards Bay prices, as strike action at Drummond’s Colombian operations boosted sentiment, according to ANZ.

“Reports suggest Colombia’s second-largest producer declared force majeure on some cargoes after a strike at its 71.5kt/day operation that began on July 23,” it said.

“The Atlantic capesize market was impacted, with rates down 4.3%, adding to negative sentiment in the Baltic market given the summer slowdown. This could also be a sign of slowing bulk trade to China, which could pressure iron ore and coking coal prices near term.”