ABSTRACT
This chapter explores the individual country or regional developments, and explains the demand for coal in the light of changes in energy demand and supply. It also explains the overall framework in terms of the major influences. In South Korea and Taiwan, demand has mirrored the industrial growth in those countries over the last 30 years, particularly in relation to steel and electricity production. In these two countries a decline in domestic coal production has been in evidence over this same period. In Hong Kong the growth in coal demand has matched the construction of new coal-fired electricity plants. Available supplies of good quality coking coal are distinctly limited and a substantial proportion of coal trade has been directed towards transferring this coal to the steel producing countries that did not have adequate or economic supplies of then own. In Europe crude steel production reached a peak in 1974 at 186 million tonnes.
