February 3, 2024 - Weekly US coal train loadings increased 20.2% on the week to an average of 65 trains/day in the week ended Jan. 26, Surface Transportation Board data showed Feb. 2.

Compared with the year-ago week, US coal train loadings were 16.5% lower. Through the first four weeks of 2024, US coal train loadings averaged 66 trains/day.

More loadings in the Powder River Basin drove the nationwide increase. Coal train loadings in the Powder River Basin rose 36.5% on the week to 35.9 trains/day. PRB coal train loadings were 14.3% lower than the year-ago week. Through four weeks, PRB coal train loadings averaged 36 trains/day.

The prompt-quarter Powder River Basin 9,400 Btu/lb rail coal price decreased 25 cents on the session Feb. 2 at $14.70/st, according to the Platts Weekly Price Survey by S&P Global Commodity Insights. The assessment was based on a heat-adjusted PRB 8,800 Btu/lb price at $13.70/st. The PRB 8,400 Btu/lb coal price declined 20 cents on the session to $11.20/st.

Illinois Basin coal train loadings averaged four trains/day in the latest reported week. ILB coal train loadings were 9.9% higher than the previous week. Compared with the year-ago week, ILB coal train loadings were 21.8% lower. From Jan. 1 through Jan. 26, ILB coal train loadings averaged 4.4 trains/day.

ILB 11,800 Btu/lb rail coal declined 25 cents on the session to $42/st, according to the Feb. 2 Platts assessment.

Northern Appalachia and Central Appalachia each reduced coal train loadings compared with the previous week. Northern Appalachia coal train loadings fell 1.7% on the week and 38.1% on the year to 7.4 trains/day, a four-week low. Through four weeks of 2024, NAPP coal train loadings averaged 7.8 trains/day.

Northern Appalachia Pittsburgh Seam 13,000 Btu/lb rail coal declined 25 cents from the previous session to $49.85/st Feb. 2. The assessment was based on a broker indication of value at $51.25/st and a sulfur-adjusted broker indication of value at $48.49/st.

In Central Appalachia, coal train loadings ticked 0.3% lower on the week to 12.6 trains/day, a four-week low. Compared with the year-ago week, CAPP coal train loadings were 1.2% lower. From Jan. 1 through Jan. 26, CAPP coal train loadings averaged 13.3 trains/day.

Platts Feb. 2 assessed Thacker/Kenova 12,500 Btu/lb Norfolk Southern rail coal unchanged on the session at $72.75/st, based on broker indications of value at $72.25/st and $73.25/st, tested in the market through 11:30 am ET.

Aggregate CAPP and NAPP loadings fell 0.8% on the week and 19.1% on the year to an average of 20 trains/day in week four.

Coal train loadings in other regions rose 28.2% on the week to an average of five trains/day in the week ended Jan. 26. Compared with the year-ago week, loadings in other regions were 16.7% lower. Through the first four weeks of 2024, coal train loadings in other regions averaged 4.5 trains/day.

Rocky Mountain Colorado 11,300 Btu/lb rail coal was unchanged on the session Feb. 2 at $72.75/st. Utah 11,500 Btu/lb rail coal was flat at $74.75/st.