China’s massive coal imports last month included record purchases from Russia and Mongolia and a significant increase in cargoes from Australia, according to the latest Chinese customs data.

Moscow has emerged as a significant supplier after the invasion of Ukraine, and Russia’s largest thermal coal miner pledged this week to triple exports to China this year to help offset sanctions elsewhere. At the same time, an end to pandemic restrictions has allowed the freer flow of goods across the border from Mongolia.

Indonesia remains China’s biggest supplier with over half the total. Purchases from Russia hit 8.8-million tons, nearly triple the level seen this time last year and ahead of the previous record of 8.5 million tons set in August.

Mongolian imports were 5.8-million tons, while cargoes from Australia were 2.2-million tons, as trade gradually returns to the levels seen before Beijing halted Australian shipments in late 2020.

In March, Mongolian imports were totaled  5.8-million tons; increased from 4.6-million tons in February and 1-million tons a year ago

Shipments in March totaled 41.2-million tons, trailing only the record 43.6 million set in January 2020, which included cargoes held over from the previous year to avoid breaching Beijing’s annual cap on shipments. The government has made energy security a priority as its economy reopens and demand for its mainstay fuel increases.