Metallurgical coal exports increased 21% to 26.8Mt. Steam coal exports were down marginally to 20.5Mt.
Overseas exports were the main driver in increased shipments totaling 30Mt for 2004, compared with 22.2Mt a year earlier. Exports to Canada dropped 3.4Mt to 17.3Mt.
The largest single geographic customer for US metallurgical coal was Europe, while North America topped the table for steam coal buying power.