South Africa's coal exports generally remained stable compared with a month ago, but slightly lower than the year prior. In the meantime, coal exports to Europe continued to retreat.

The country exported 6.16 million tonnes of coal in November, down 1.11% from 6.23 million tonnes in the preceding year and ticking down 0.08% from 6.16 million tonnes in October, customs data showed.

Despite steadiness on a monthly basis, the November's figure still sunk to the lowest level for the corresponding period since 2011. On November 8, a train carrying coal on the North Corridor line that runs to the Richards Bay Coal Terminal (RBCT) derailed near Ulundi in Kwazulu-Natal province, later state-owned Transnet Freight Rail declared force majeure.

Though two rail lines have restored on November 20, after several days of insufficient coal inflows, coal stocks at RBCT slumped to the lowest since early April.

RBCT, the largest coal export gateway in the country, shipped out 5.07 million tonnes of coal in November, a year-on-year decline of 12.34% and a month-on-month fall of 0.3%, accounting for 82.5% of South Africa's total coal exports.

South Africa's coal exports totaled 66.11 million tonnes during January to November, retreating 0.03% from a year ago, with deliveries from RBCT at 56.5 million tonnes, down 10.98% year on year.

The country's bituminous coal accounted for the largest share of 89.16% in exports in November, at 5.18 million tonnes, a year-on-year decline of 11.24% and a month-on-month retreat of 5.68%; other coal exports were 857,500 tonnes, jumping 210% on the year and 32.24% on the month; anthracite exports were 117,700 tonnes, rising 5.29% from a year ago and skyrocketing nearly 500% from October.

The exports of thermal coal (bituminous coal and other coal) reached 6.04 million tonnes, falling 1.23% from a year ago and down 1.68% from a month ago, accounting for 98.08% of the total coal exports.

The top five destinations for South African coal were India, the Netherland, Italy, South Korea and Mozambique, with combined shipments accounting for 62.43% of the total, higher than 57.75% in the previous month.

The country's coal deliveries to top ten buyers took 81.8% of the total, up from 77.8% in October. Among the top 10, four were European countries.

In November, India was still the top destination, taking 2.03 million tonnes of coal, which was 23.21% higher than a year ago and up 80.12% month on month.

Coal exports to the Netherland stood at 0.55 million tonnes, surging 224.73% year on year but falling 53.48% on the month.

Coal exported to Italy soared 580% year on year and 99.72% month on month to 536,800 tonnes, and shipments to South Korea increased 22.14% on the year but declined 34.35% month on month to 381,400 tonnes.

South Africa also delivered 344,800 tonnes of coal to Mozambique in November, falling 7.53% year on year and 4.9% from the preceding month, data showed.

The deliveries to European countries in November fell clearly from a month ago, to 1.74 million tonnes, rocketing 5.63 times on the year yet falling 28.8% on the month. The figure comprised of only 28.26% of the country's total, compared with nearly 40% in October.

This was caused by European buyers' slowed inquiries for seaborne thermal coal. In recent month, as coal stocks increased, natural gas prices declined and local temperature was higher than previous years, thermal coal prices in Europe were on the decrease.

With recovered railway capacity in December, weekly coal shipment to RBCT port has surpassed 1 million tonnes in mid-December, the highest in seven weeks. The number of vessels waiting for loading also declined from 13 to 3 alongside overhaul of ship loaders.

Supported by cold weather outlook in Europe, increased coal prices and contracted supplies, offer prices for South African high-CV thermal coal continued to move upwards. But local railway shipment was frequently harassed by cable thefts.