DAILY: China's portside thermal coal market expected to fluctuate

China's thermal coal prices at northern shipment ports remained rangebound on April 14 amid limited liquidity, as a tug-of-war between buyers and sellers kept prices in a narrow band while the overall price floor continued to edge higher, market sources said.

On Tuesday, Mysteel assessed 5,500 kcal/kg NAR thermal coal at Yuan 768/tonne ($112.7/t) FOB northern ports with VAT, up Yuan 2/t on day. The 5,000 kcal/kg NAR grade also rose Yuan 2/t to Yuan 684/t, while the 4,500 kcal/kg NAR grade posted a Yuan 1/t rise to Yuan 594/t. Mainstream