Market awaits results of China Huaneng's large seaborne thermal coal tender

The results of the tender called late last week by China Huaneng Group, one of the country's largest state-owned power generators, for a total of 854,000 tonnes of seaborne thermal coal for delivery in July and August were still to be revealed as of late on June 23. However, whatever the outcome, the tender is more proof that Chinese electricity companies are gradually returning to the seaborne market, according to China market watchers.

The tender covered 13 cargoes with calorific values ranging from 2,800 kcal/kg to 5,500 kcal/kg NAR for Huaneng's coastal power subsidiaries. Eligible supply origins included Indonesia, Russia, Australia and Malaysia, with several cargoes allowing multiple origins. Bids closed on June 22. Huaneng's previous tender, which closed on June 15, sought