COVID-19 Pandemic Impact on Russian Thermal Coal Exports

Abstract

The article provides an overview of the changes in the global market for fuel and energy products under the coronavirus pandemic and OPEC+ actions. Issues related to the adverse effects of the pandemic on the energy sector as a whole, which exert a downward pressure on the global oil demand, are touched upon in the article. Particular attention paid to the thermal coal market due to its special features as an energy commodity and as the most severely aff ected by Covid-19. The impact of lockdowns on Russia’s thermal coal exports is shown; the reasons for the decline in demand in the global coal markets are noted; the importance of government support in the promising areas for Russia’s participation in international energy coal trade is emphasized