The next batch of coal from the Republic of South Africa arrived in Ukraine. The government of the country has increased the volume of fuel purchases on the eve of the heating season. Buy coal from the unrecognized republics of Donbass or Moscow, Kiev still considers below its dignity.

The fact that the South African coal swam to the Ukrainian coast, the press service of the port of Southern, located near Odessa. "On September 17, Panamax Semiramis with coal from South Africa was moored to the pier. The total volume of cargo is 80 thousand. t anthracite. Since the beginning of the year, this is the fourth bulk carrier for thermal power plants of DTEK's power holding company, "the RNS.

Following this bulk carrier, another one will arrive in the South. It is expected on September 19. The vessel will deliver to Ukraine another 75 thousand. tons of coal. The cargo from the fourth and fifth flights is intended for Pridneprovskaya and Krivoy Rog thermal power plants "DTEK Energo". The fuel is needed in order "that the stations have a resource for work in the autumn-winter period," noted in the port.

The first batch of coal from South Africa arrived in Ukraine in May, the second in July, the third in August. During this time in the port of Yuzhny was unloaded 225 thousand. t of thermal coal from a distant country for the thermal generation of DTEK. In South Africa, the company contracted 675 thousand. tons of coal. Each ton of anthracite from Africa costs Kiev $ 10 more than what was purchased at Donbass mines. This threatens Ukraine with large losses.

South Africa is not the only foreign supplier of Nezalezhnaya. So, in September in the South unloaded 62 thousand. t coal from the United States for the TPP of the company "Centrenergo". Another seller of fuel, as previously reported by the Ukrainian authorities, could be Australia. Coal comes also from Poland.

The country has large reserves of thermal coal, however, they are concentrated mainly in the east of the country. Because of the transport blockade that has been going on for several months of the part of Donbass that is not controlled by Kiev, the country's authorities have to import fuel. Due to the shortage of coals of energy brands in the Ukrainian energy industry, during five months (until mid-July), an emergency regime operated.

Russia was the largest supplier of imported thermal coal to Ukraine in the period up to July 2017.. , providing more than 80% of supplies. However, Kiev declared its intention to completely abandon the Russian energy carriers by switching to alternative options.