Welcome to DU!
The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards.
Join the community:
Create a free account
Support DU (and get rid of ads!):
Become a Star Member
Latest Breaking News
General Discussion
The DU Lounge
All Forums
Issue Forums
Culture Forums
Alliance Forums
Region Forums
Support Forums
Help & Search
Port sees coal exports drop in first half of year
http://hamptonroads.com/2014/07/port-sees-coal-exports-drop-first-half-yearPort sees coal exports drop in first half of year
By Robert McCabe
The Virginian-Pilot
© July 7, 2014
NORFOLK
Through the first half of the year, coal exports through Hampton Roads, the top U.S. coal-shipping port, are down about 12 percent from where they were at this time last year.
While 2013 turned out to be the port’s best coal-exporting year since 1992, experts aren’t anticipating a turnaround in the next six months.
“I think the rest of the year you’re going to see definitely a downtrend,” said David Host, chairman and CEO of T. Parker Host, a Norfolk-based shipping agent.
He attributes much of the falloff in coal exports from Hampton Roads and other U.S. ports to two global developments – a surge in Australian coal production and a weakening of the Chinese economy. China’s imports of metallurgical coal, used in steelmaking, are projected to drop by more than 20 percent from last year.
