China’s ban on Australian thermal and coking coal imports, which has left several Australian vessels stranded at Chinese ports, is likely to remain in place indefinitely amid deteriorating trade ties between the two nations, analysts said. Chinese authorities communicated the ban verbally, suggesting the informal approach was politically motivated, commodities analysts said, though it also aligned with tightening coal import quotas and Beijing’s goal to reduce consumption and carbon emissions. Coal import quotas at some Chinese ports have now been exhausted for 2020. “There are several vessels carrying Australian ... (full story)