Last year, the global maritime coal trade grew by 0.7%, buoyed by increased output in China and Indonesia, according to Germany's VDKI coal import lobby. Continued rising demand for steel and energy has pushed coal use from 4.5 billion tonnes in 1990 to almost 8 billion tonnes in 2019.
Combined imports and exports rose to 1.218 billion tonnes in 2019, up from 1.21 billion tonnes the previous year, according to VDKI figures.
The trade in steam coal - used to generate electricity - rose by 1.2% to 932 million tonnes.
Yard operations at Port Waratah, Newcastle, Australia
Port Waratah Coal Services, Newcastle, Australia.
VDKI reported that the rise was driven by a 5.3% increase in imports by India. Last year, the country imported 235 million tonnes of coal from Australia, Indonesia and China.
However, other parts of the world did see a decrease in the use of coal. New emissions regulations in South Korea saw coal imports fall by 7%.
In Western Europe, the glut of gas imports has led to a surplus, making it cheap compared to coal. Burning gas for energy produces around half the CO2 emissions of coal.
Last year, the UK imported over 600,000 tonnes of coal from Australia, which sparked criticism from environmental groups. Despite the bushfire crisis, the country is expected to ship a similar amount in 2020.
Carbon emissions produced during the coal's 14,000 km (8,700 mile) journey, as well as 2.8 tonnes emitted during burning, make coal exports from Australia to Europe some of the most polluting uses of fossil fuel on the planet.
In December, the UK will host the UN COP26 summit in Glasgow and dramatic cuts in coal use are likely to be a key demand. The UK's largest importers of Australian coal, Tata Steel and British Steel, say that they are looking for alternative energy sources.
According to British Steel, coal from Australia makes up around 30% of its needs and that imports from the US now make up the bulk of its coal demand/.
The Chinese company buying out British Steel, Jingye, has said that it plans to replace coal-powered furnaces with electric-arc furnaces.
Tata Steel said that while its plant at Port Talbot in south Wales is fuelled by Australian coal, it is seeking alternative sources.
Last year, Australia exported 203 million tonnes of thermal coal, which is burned in power stations, and 179 million tonnes of coking coal, used in the manufacture of steel.
Larissa Payne of Extinction Rebellion Australia demanded an end to UK imports. “The UK parliament has declared a climate emergency. Why is it still importing tonnes of Australian coal? It’s an astounding contradiction.”
The UK’s Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy said: “Although we will soon have wiped coal from our electricity supply, some industries will still require coal. To tackle that, we are making £350-million (€296-million) in funding available to help the industry reduce its carbon footprint.”
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