Part of the ""Carriage by Sea"" series, this second edition contains statistical information on coal consumption, production and trade, including comparative statistics by geographical area, together with full analysis. The carriage of coal by sea, including the specifications and problems of vessels used to carry coal, terminal operations and charterparties are also covered, as are some of the most frequently arising claims and preventative measures. The book is suitable for companies involved in the coal trades, including shipowners, operators, charterers, managers, shipbuilders and coal exporters and importers.

Coal will continue to provide a major portion of energy requirements in the United States for at least the next several decades. It is imperative that accurate information describing the amount, location, and quality of the coal resources and reserves be available to fulfill energy needs. It is also important that the United States extract its coal resources efficiently, safely, and in an environmentally responsible manner. A renewed focus on federal support for coal-related research, coordinated across agencies and with the active participation of the states and industrial sector, is a critical element for each of these requirements. Coal focuses on the research and development needs and priorities in the areas of coal resource and reserve assessments, coal mining and processing, transportation of coal and coal products, and coal utilization.