Bituminous Coal Imports from Colombia to Turkey — Q1 2017 Trade Data & HS Code Analysis (PNUM7024)

According to Trademap (ITC Trade Map) data, Turkey's total bituminous coal imports from Colombia in the first quarter (Q1) of 2017 amounted to $360,690,000 USD (approximately 360.69 million USD). This made Colombia Turkey's #1 source of bituminous coal imports during that period. Colombia's dominance as Turkey's primary coal supplier is driven by its high-quality thermal coal, competitive pricing, and established maritime trade routes between Colombian Caribbean ports and Turkish Mediterranean ports.

Bituminous coal (HS code 2701.12) is a critical energy resource for Turkey, primarily used in coal-fired thermal power plants that generate a significant portion of the country's electricity. Turkey's growing energy demand, limited domestic high-quality coal reserves (mostly lignite), and the need for efficient power generation fuel drive the country's substantial coal imports. This page provides a comprehensive analysis of Turkey's bituminous coal imports from Colombia, including the full HS code classification, trade data, market context, and answers to frequently asked questions.

HS Code Classification for Bituminous Coal

The international trade classification of bituminous coal follows the Harmonized System (HS) coding structure. Below is the complete classification hierarchy from section level to the 12-digit national tariff code:

Turkey-Colombia Coal Trade Data (Q1 2017)

According to Trademap (ITC Trade Map — International Trade Centre) data, Turkey's bituminous coal imports from Colombia in Q1 2017 reached a total value of $360,690,000 USD. This figure represents one quarter (3 months) of trade and demonstrates the massive scale of the Turkey-Colombia coal trade relationship. At this pace, the annual import value would exceed $1.4 billion USD, making bituminous coal one of Turkey's most significant mineral fuel imports.

Colombia was Turkey's #1 source of bituminous coal imports in Q1 2017, outpacing other major coal exporters such as Russia, South Africa, and Australia. Colombia's dominance in the Turkish coal market is attributed to several factors: the superior quality of Colombian thermal coal (high calorific value, low ash and sulfur content), competitive pricing due to large-scale mining operations, and efficient maritime logistics from Caribbean ports to Turkish Mediterranean ports.

Key Trade Figures

• Total import value (Q1 2017): $360,690,000 USD
• HS Code: 2701.12.90.00.00 (Other bituminous coal)
• Colombia's rank: #1 supplier of bituminous coal to Turkey
• Primary use: Thermal power generation (electricity)
• Trade data source: ITC Trademap
• Estimated annual run rate: >$1.4 billion USD

Why Colombia is Turkey's #1 Coal Supplier

Colombia's position as Turkey's primary bituminous coal supplier is driven by several competitive advantages:

• High coal quality: Colombian bituminous coal has a high calorific value (typically 11,000-13,000 BTU/lb) and low sulfur content (below 1%), making it ideal for efficient power generation with lower emissions.
• Large-scale mining: Colombia has some of the world's largest open-pit coal mines (Cerrejon, Drummond), enabling economies of scale and competitive production costs.
• Dedicated export infrastructure: Colombia's Caribbean coast hosts specialized coal export terminals (Puerto Bolivar, Puerto Drummond, Santa Marta) with high-capacity loading facilities designed for Capesize bulk carriers.
• Maritime logistics: The shipping route from Colombian Caribbean ports through the Panama Canal and across the Atlantic to Turkish Mediterranean ports is well-established and cost-effective for large-volume coal shipments.
• Competitive pricing: Colombian coal is competitively priced in the global market due to low mining costs and efficient export operations, making it attractive to Turkish power producers.
• Reliable supply: Colombia has a stable coal export industry with consistent production volumes, providing Turkey with a reliable long-term supply of thermal coal.

Colombian Bituminous Coal Exporters

Colombia's bituminous coal export industry is dominated by several major international mining companies. The contact information of Colombian bituminous coal exporting firms is compiled based on Colombian customs and bill of lading data. Access to the complete list of Colombian bituminous coal exporters requires a paid subscription to TurkExim's trade intelligence database. To obtain access to this data, please reach out to us through our contact page.

Major Colombian Coal Mining Companies

• Cerrejon: One of the world's largest open-pit coal mines, located in La Guajira department. Jointly owned by BHP, Anglo American, and Glencore. Exports through Puerto Bolivar.
• Drummond Company: Operates the El Descanso mine in Cesar department. Exports through Puerto Drummond.
• Glencore (Prodeco): Operates the Calenturitas and La Jagua mines in Cesar department. Exports through Puerto Prodeco at Santa Marta.
• Murray Energy: Operates the Colombia Natural Resources (CNR) mines in Cesar department.

Shipping Routes: Colombia to Turkey

Bituminous coal is transported from Colombia to Turkey by sea using specialized bulk carrier vessels. The typical shipping routes and logistics are as follows:

• Loading ports (Colombia): Puerto Bolivar (Cerrejon), Puerto Drummond (Drummond), Puerto Santa Marta (Prodeco/Glencore) — all on the Caribbean coast.
• Transit route: Caribbean Sea → Panama Canal → Atlantic Ocean → Mediterranean Sea → Turkish ports. Alternative route: around Cape Horn (longer but avoids canal fees).
• Discharge ports (Turkey): Iskenderun (Mediterranean), Aliaga/Izmir (Aegean), Ambarli/Istanbul (Marmara), Bandirma (Marmara).
• Vessel types: Capesize (150,000-200,000 DWT) or Panamax (60,000-80,000 DWT) bulk carriers.
• Transit time: 20-30 days depending on route, vessel speed, and canal transit.
• Freight cost: A significant component of the landed coal price, fluctuating with global shipping market conditions and bunker fuel prices.

Turkey's Coal Import Policy & Energy Mix

Turkey is one of the world's largest importers of thermal coal, driven by the country's growing energy demand and limited domestic coal reserves. Turkey's energy mix includes natural gas, coal, hydroelectric, wind, solar, and nuclear (under construction). Coal-fired power plants play a significant role in Turkey's electricity generation, providing baseload power for industrial and residential consumption.

Key aspects of Turkey's coal import policy include:

• Import duties: Turkey applies import duties on bituminous coal under HS 2701.12, with rates varying based on trade agreements and government policy.
• VAT: Value Added Tax (currently 18%) is applied to coal imports.
• Energy security: Turkey diversifies coal import sources to reduce dependency on any single supplier, with Colombia, Russia, South Africa, and Australia as primary sources.
• Environmental regulations: Turkey's coal-fired power plants must comply with emissions standards, creating demand for high-quality, low-sulfur coal — which Colombian coal provides.
• Domestic coal: Turkey has large lignite reserves but limited bituminous coal, necessitating imports for efficient power generation.

Main Coal Import Ports in Turkey

Turkey's main coal import ports are strategically located near major coal-fired power plants and industrial zones:

• Iskenderun Port (Mediterranean): Serves power plants in the Iskenderun Bay industrial zone — one of Turkey's largest industrial clusters.
• Aliaga Port (Aegean, near Izmir): Serves power plants in western Turkey and the Aegean region.
• Ambarli Port (Marmara, near Istanbul): Serves the Istanbul metropolitan region and northwestern Turkey.
• Bandirma Port (Marmara): Serves northwestern Turkey and the southern Marmara coast.
• Samsun Port (Black Sea): Serves northern Turkey and the central Anatolian region.
• Port of Mersin (Mediterranean): General cargo port that also handles coal imports for southern Turkey.

These ports have dedicated coal handling facilities including grab cranes, conveyor belt systems, and large stockpile areas for efficient unloading, storage, and onward transportation of bulk coal to nearby power plants via truck or rail.

Frequently Asked Questions

Conclusion

Turkey's bituminous coal imports from Colombia in Q1 2017, valued at $360.69 million USD, highlight the critical importance of the Turkey-Colombia coal trade relationship. Colombia's position as Turkey's #1 coal supplier is driven by the superior quality of Colombian thermal coal, competitive pricing, large-scale mining operations, and efficient maritime logistics. The HS code 2701.12 (bituminous coal) represents a major category in Turkey's mineral fuel imports, with Colombian coal fueling Turkish power plants that generate electricity for industrial and residential use.

For businesses seeking to access the complete list of Colombian bituminous coal exporters with contact details, TurkExim offers trade intelligence services based on Colombian customs and bill of lading data. This paid service provides valuable B2B intelligence for coal traders, power producers, and logistics companies. For more information, please contact TurkExim through our contact page.