INTELLIGENCE REPORT

Coal Newcastle Intelligence Report

July 1, 2026 · Intelligence Report · Coal Newcastle (World Bank Pink Sheet)
BUYER: DEFENSIVE

Newcastle thermal coal at $136.86/mt (May 2026, World Bank) with post-peace ICE futures retreating toward $129/mt. The convergence of Indonesia's export centralization (Phase 1 from Sep 2026), the Shanxi mine safety clampdown, and lingering LNG supply deficits from Ras Laffan damage has created a market where physical tightness persists even as the geopolitical risk premium deflates. The US-Iran interim peace agreement has removed the Strait of Hormuz supply risk from forward pricing, pulling prompt prices off three-year highs of $150/mt. Yet the underlying supply-demand deficit remains: global seaborne supply at 985 Mt (-5.7% YoY) faces 70 Mt of incremental APAC demand from LNG-to-coal switching. Buyers should lock Q3 volumes at current levels while maintaining optionality for downside scenarios from a potential Hormuz reopening.

Newcastle Spot FOB
$136.86
+4.54% MoM
52-Week Range
$106.32
— $138.60
YTD Change
+24.7%
from Jan $109.78
ICE Futures
~$129
-7.6% MoM
Data as of July 1, 2026. Pipeline source: World Bank Pink Sheet (monthly, ~30-day lag). ICE Newcastle NCF futures reference for current pricing.