Gevin Maguayar* reports that Vietnam has become the main driver of global growth in the import and use of thermal coal. The volume of thermal coal imports increased by 31% in 2024 and reached historical levels - 44 million metric tons last year, according to the tracking company Kabler.
Strong growth in coal purchases by China in 2024 will prevail over an 11% increase in imports earlier, while the Vietnamese economy is growing at a rate of 5.6% annually since 2018, which is the fastest pace among all countries in Southeast Asia during this time.
Persistent rise in the sector of production, oriented towards export and energy consumption, has been the main stimulus for the increase in imports and usage of coal, which remains the primary source of energy in the country.
* The author's name has been changed.
