November 26, 2025 - Not all the news and company results are positive for the U.S. coal industry, but a bright spot is that coal exports in 2012 are expected to break the record level of 113 million tons set in 1981. The U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) reports that for the first half of 2012, exports were almost 67 million tons, which beat almost all export volumes since 1949. If exports track at this pace, they could reach 133 million tons this year. The EIA forecasts 125 million tons of coal exports in 2012.

In June this year, total U.S. coal exports for both steam (thermal) and metallurgical (met) coal were nearly 13 million tons, which beat the April record by 200,000 tons. June was the third successive month when exports exceeded 12 million tons.

The EIA does not anticipate the current pace of coal exports to continue, as the global economy is slowing with China, the world's largest consumer, falling off significantly.

August data indicates global demand falling by 2 million tons from June's record levels. August exports remain 13% up year-over-year, and 2012 still should be able to beat the 1981 level.

Coal exports in 2011 rose 171% from 2002. Export growth shot up after the global recession, with consecutive post-2009 growth of more than 20 million tons annually. Current data shows coal exports more than doubling the 2009 export level, driven by growth in steam coal.

Met coal has averaged 66% of coal exports in the 2009 to 2011 period, but currently is falling back to 50%. Steam coal exports are now driving export growth and account for 95% of the annualized export increase a coal exports reach record levels this year.

Industrial Info Resources (IIR), with global headquarters in Sugar Land, Texas, and eight offices outside of North America, is the leading provider of global market intelligence specializing in the industrial process, heavy manufacturing and energy markets. Industrial Info's quality-assurance philosophy, the Living Forward Reporting Principle?, provides up-to-the-minute intelligence on what's happening now, while constantly keeping track of future opportunities.