Seaborne coal exports from South Africa and Mozambique increased during the first half of 2026, with combined shipments rising 11.3% year on year, according to vessel-tracking data analysed by URSA Shipbrokers.
Combined exports reached 45.35 million tonnes between January and June, up from 40.74 million tonnes during the same period in 2025, research analyst Ioanna Matsouka said, citing AXS Marine data.
South Africa accounted for most of the increase, with exports rising 13.1% year on year to 35.66 million tonnes in the first six months of 2026, compared with 31.53 million tonnes during the same period last year.
Mozambique exported 9.70 million tonnes over the same period, up 5.3% from 9.21 million tonnes in the first half of 2025.
The rebound came as Indonesia, the world's largest exporter of seaborne coal, recorded lower export volumes during the period, Matsouka noted.
India remained the largest destination for coal exports from South Africa and Mozambique, importing 20.58 million tonnes, or 45.2% of combined exports. Pakistan and China followed with 4.3 million tonnes and 2.9 million tonnes respectively.
According to AXS Marine vessel-tracking data, the trade was primarily served by Supramax, Ultramax, Kamsarmax and Capesize bulk carriers.
Combined coal exports from South Africa and Mozambique peaked at 92.87 million tonnes in 2018 before declining in subsequent years. The stronger first-half performance in 2026 continues the recovery from those lower export volumes.
