Coal imported through ports of Shandong province fell to 915,000 tonnes in Jun, dropping 61.9% from a year earlier, or 42.2% from a month ago, the first decrease since last Feb.

However, the imports reached 9.39 million tonnes in the first half of this year, valuing US$1.05 billion, rising 63.8% and 100% compared to the previous year, respectively.

Meanwhile, coal import value rose to US$127 per tonne in Jun, an increase of 35.6 percent from a year earlier.

According to analysts with Yantai Customs, there are two factors behind the reduced coal imports, including narrower gap between Chinese and international coal prices, and sufficient stockpiles of coal at domestic market.