CHINA's two most extensive coal-producing regions have been hit by covid flare-ups and lockdowns, disrupting supplies and boosting prices for the country's mainstay fuel as demand increases in winter, reports Bloomberg.
In Datong, Shanxi province, a critical rail route hauling coal eastwards saw volumes shrink 30 per cent because of crew shortages.
Some parts of Datong were locked down on October 11, and dozens of rail workers on the line to Qinhuangdao were among 100 new virus cases reported on October 17.
Meanwhile, coal sales in Ordos in Inner Mongolia fell after the city implemented a three-day lockdown.
The pinch on coal supplies is unlikely to cause shortages, given the country's intense push to boost inventories ahead of the winter.
Qinhuangdao's coal prices have risen due to falling temperatures and tighter supplies because of the Covid flare-ups.
The latest count of new daily infections from the regions was 72 in Inner Mongolia, 59 in Shaanxi, and 45 in Shanxi.
China has increased efforts to ensure the energy supply ahead of a colder winter.
Meanwhile, China's central government will sell more pork from reserves and guide local governments to release their inventories because of a continuing price increase.
SeaNews Turkey
In Datong, Shanxi province, a critical rail route hauling coal eastwards saw volumes shrink 30 per cent because of crew shortages.
Some parts of Datong were locked down on October 11, and dozens of rail workers on the line to Qinhuangdao were among 100 new virus cases reported on October 17.
Meanwhile, coal sales in Ordos in Inner Mongolia fell after the city implemented a three-day lockdown.
The pinch on coal supplies is unlikely to cause shortages, given the country's intense push to boost inventories ahead of the winter.
Qinhuangdao's coal prices have risen due to falling temperatures and tighter supplies because of the Covid flare-ups.
The latest count of new daily infections from the regions was 72 in Inner Mongolia, 59 in Shaanxi, and 45 in Shanxi.
China has increased efforts to ensure the energy supply ahead of a colder winter.
Meanwhile, China's central government will sell more pork from reserves and guide local governments to release their inventories because of a continuing price increase.
SeaNews Turkey