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Australian coal cargo bound for China diverts amid uncertainty
来源：shippingazette 编辑：编辑部 发布：2023/02/27 14:17:35
THE 658-TEU BBC Maryland was carrying Australian coal destined for China and was diverted due to uncertainty around Chinese customs policies, reports Reuters.
The ship was hauling 12,000 tonnes of thermal coal from Australia's Newcastle terminal and was headed to Vung Tau in Vietnam after waiting five days without unloading at the eastern Chinese port of Changshu.
The ship's diversion is the first sign that the resumption of coal imports from Australia is not going smoothly.
The vessel was one of the first to reach China from Australia after Beijing partially eased an unofficial ban on Australian coal imports two years ago as ties between the countries frayed over a range of issues.
It is unknown who bought the coal, with three coal traders stating the cargo was not taken by any of the four companies that received permission from Beijing to import Australian coal.
"The destination change of that vessel sends a signal to the market that Chinese authorities have not fully removed the import restrictions of Australian coal," said a China-based coal trader.
The market expected more firms to be allowed to bring in Australian coal as meetings between Chinese and Australian officials signal diplomatic ties are improving.
"We haven't heard any successful case of coal traders passing the customs clearance," said another trader.
The ship was hauling 12,000 tonnes of thermal coal from Australia's Newcastle terminal and was headed to Vung Tau in Vietnam after waiting five days without unloading at the eastern Chinese port of Changshu.
The ship's diversion is the first sign that the resumption of coal imports from Australia is not going smoothly.
The vessel was one of the first to reach China from Australia after Beijing partially eased an unofficial ban on Australian coal imports two years ago as ties between the countries frayed over a range of issues.
It is unknown who bought the coal, with three coal traders stating the cargo was not taken by any of the four companies that received permission from Beijing to import Australian coal.
"The destination change of that vessel sends a signal to the market that Chinese authorities have not fully removed the import restrictions of Australian coal," said a China-based coal trader.
The market expected more firms to be allowed to bring in Australian coal as meetings between Chinese and Australian officials signal diplomatic ties are improving.
"We haven't heard any successful case of coal traders passing the customs clearance," said another trader.