SAIL offered only US coking coal in tender

LONDON, June 8 (Reuters) India's largest steel maker Steel Authority of India Limited (SAIL) was again offered only U.S.

hard coking coal in its second one million tonne tender in the last 25 days, Indian traders said.

SAIL has traditionally bought all or almost all of its imported coking coal from Australian suppliers. The lack of Australian offers at both recent SAIL tenders indicates the tightness of availability, traders said.

''The SAIL tender closed just one hour ago and just over one million tonnes of U.S. coking coal was offered by three suppliers,'' one trader said.

AMCI offered 500,000 tonnes, Keystone offered 300,000 tonnes and Indian traders Coal&Oil offered 300,000 tonnes, traders said.

They were not able to give an indication of offer prices.

SAIL will make an award in 60 days time.

The one million tonnes is to be delivered from July to June 2008.

REUTERS DKS VV1526