In a mere four years, China’s booming economy has transformed the nation from net exporter of coal into a monster importer that can support multiple coal terminals proposed in the Pacific Northwest, industry analysts say.
Last year, China imported 182 million metric tons of coal, surpassing Japan as the world’s largest coal importer. That amount is more than the capacity of four existing coal terminals in Alaska and British Columbia and five proposed Pacific Northwest terminals combined — including one proposal in Longview and two near Clatskanie.
China is expected to shape the Pacific Northwest coal export market for years to come. While a few factors could dent its demand for U.S. coal, the reality is clear: China — and other Asian nations — will be hungry for coal and could easily consume the coal shipped through the proposed Millennium Bulk Terminals export dock in Longview and two proposed terminals at Port Westward near Clatskanie.