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The volume of US coal exports has increased steadily from 50 million short tons in 2005, to a record 126 million short tons.
A monthly record was set in March last year, before declining in the second half of the year.
Coal exports are an increasingly important source of revenue for coal producers, railroads and barge companies in the US.
Recent growth in coal exports has been driven by volume increases in steam coal exports and price increases in metallurgical coal, which generally sells at a significantly higher price than steam coal.
EIA’s quarterly report states the majority of US coal exports go to Europe (50%), but export growth has been strongest in Asia and South America.
Key drivers of future US coal export will be global coal demand and production challenges that may arise in domestic production in China and India.
The annual energy outlook 2014, predicts modest growth in US coal exports, reaching 160Mt by 2060.
