Thermal coal imports may increase to 145 mt in 2018

New Delhi: India's thermal coal import is likely to increase to 145 million tonne (MT) in 2018, and the uptrend would continue in the next four years, says a report.

According to the report by Minerals Council of Australia, India's estimated thermal coal import in 2017 stood at 137 MT.

"After several years of declining imports, the outlook for thermal coal import demand in India is improving due to strong demand growth and the inability of domestic supply to keep pace," the report said.

"Imports for both December quarter 2017 and March quarter 2018 were significantly higher year-on-year so we expect an increase in volumes in 2018, which we believe will be sustained," it added.