Russia plans to increase its coal exports to southeastern Asia by expanding its port capacity, reports Russia Beyond the Headlines.

The government is building a new port in its Far East as well as expand its existing port at Vanino in the Khabarovsk territory in order to handle 20 and 24 million tonnes respectively.

The latter terminal ships to Japan, South Korea, China, the USA, Australia, and other destinations around the Pacific Ocean. When the construction is finished, port capacity would increase to 140 million tonnes a year – enough to meet Asian market demand.

Coal production in Russia, during the first five months of this year, grew to 142.7 million tonnes, an increase of 1.1%. Exports rose to 53.6 million tonnes or 5.2%. The government expects shipments to China this year to be slightly higher at 20 million tonnes compared to last year's 19.3 million tonnes.

Russia's Mechel company has confirmed three deals this year with southeast Asian companies – 40,000 to 80,000 tonnes of per month for Shasteel Group and 960,000 tonnes per year for Baosteel Resources, both in China, as well as 500,000 tonnes for Posco in South Korea.

Siberia's Anthracite company will send 4.8 million tonnes to Hebei Iron & Steel Group as well as Yanshan Iron & Steel Co., Ltd. over the next five years.