Hormuz Strait disruptions are pushing global coal demand to a record
Disruptions to oil and gas shipping through the Strait of Hormuz are pushing global coal demand to a record high in 2026, the IEA reports.
Global coal demand is on track to hit a record 8.94 billion tons in 2026, a 1.2% increase driven largely by fallout from Middle East tensions, according to the International Energy Agency's latest coal market update. Disruptions to oil and LNG shipments through the Strait of Hormuz since the US-Iran conflict began have pushed up energy prices and pushed countries with spare coal capacity to burn more of it for electricity.
Coal consumption has come in higher than expected across Europe, Japan, South Korea and China, reversing the IEA's earlier forecast of a slight decline in demand this year. The agency says 2027 demand will hinge largely on whether shipping through Hormuz returns to normal: if it does, coal demand could ease; if the strait stays largely closed to LNG traffic, demand could climb further.
Global coal production is expected to fall this year but stay above 9 billion tons for a third straight year. Output from China, the world's largest producer, has dropped following safety inspections launched after a major mining accident in May.
Based on reporting by Haber Merkezi for İklimhaber. Read the original (Turkish): https://www.iklimhaber.org/hurmuz-krizi-nedeniyle-komur-talebi-rekora-kosuyor/
This article was produced with the assistance of AI tools and reviewed by an editor before publication.
