Markets and Transportation

As part of our core consulting services, Richard Smith Crudes regularly prepares forecasts of the market supply/demand balance for coal and other commodities in the United States as well as international markets. These market forecasts are utilized by a broad base of clients including electric utilities, lending institutions, project developers, and others associated with the coal and energy industry. Key to our domestic forecasting efforts is Richard Smith Crudes’s annual industry review and supporting model known as CoalVision™.

Richard Smith Crudes has assisted domestic and international producers and consumers in developing strategic transport plans and evaluating preferred options for the transport of bulk commodities.

Transportation Consultant Services Include:

• Identification of preferred delivery options (rail, barge, truck, or intermodal)
• Development and negotiation of contract terms and conditions
• Analysis of tidewater port facilities and inland barge terminals
• Management strategies in a deregulated US electric market
• Price forecasts
• Evaluation of ocean shipping alternatives and transport logistics