
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: FRIDAY, August 19, 1994                   TAG: 9408230021
SECTION: BUSINESS                    PAGE: A7   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE: NORFOLK                                 LENGTH: Short

COAL EXPORTS DIP SHARPLY

Shipments from the three coal terminals in the port of Hampton Roads dipped to a recent low last month of 2.37 million tons, a reflection of stiff foreign competition and a weak export market.

For the first seven months this year, coal loadings at the terminals in Norfolk and Newport News have declined 15.4 percent to 24.1 million tons, compared to the same period a year ago.

But demand for coal may have hit bottom, exporters say. ``We do have better times ahead,'' said Wilson Browning Jr., president of coal shipper W.J. Browning Co.

Total U.S. coal exports slipped to 74 million tons in 1993 after topping 100 million tons in 1991 and 1992. The United States competes with countries such as South Africa, Colombia, Venezuela, Russia and Australia in the coal export market.

Much of the coal glut coming from those counties has been absorbed.

``We are seeing minor growth rates in our traditional markets like Europe, and we are seeing some huge growth in some emerging countries' markets,'' Browning said.

- Associated Press

by CNB