Bloomberg reported that Coal exports from South Africa Richards Bay, site of the continent largest export terminal for the fuel fell last month to the lowest since September.

According to data posted on the terminal’s Web site outbound shipments were 4.87 million tonnes, the least since September’s 4.16 million tonnes. The Richards Bay terminal exported 4.12 million tonnes in January of last year and 5.55 million tonnes in December 2009.

The terminal is the biggest source for Europe of coal burned for power and is owned by South Africa largest exporters of the fuel, including BHP Billiton Ltd, Anglo American Plc and Xstrata Plc.

At last month shipment rate, the Richards Bay terminal will export 58 million tons of coal this year. The terminal is due to boost its annual export capacity to 91 million tons by the end of this year’s first quarter. Shipments came to 61.14 million tons last year.

Richards Bay said during January 5.44 million tonnes of coal arrived at the port by rail and stocks rose from a year low to 2.71 million tonnes. Fifty three ships docked at the port in January and 746 trains arrived laden with coal.

(Sourced from Bloomberg)