In recent years, the three countries have increased their coal production rapidly to meet the rising demand for energy. Imports are unlikely to drop to zero but they will be reduced as domestic coal production increases and infrastructure for moving it improves. Some areas of seaborne thermal coal are showing signs of growth, including Vietnam, Thailand, and Malaysia. According to Kpler's data, Vietnam's seaborne thermal coal imports reached 43.33 millions tons in 2024. Exporters of thermal coal by sea are facing a major problem: the lack of new coal-fired power plants outside China, India and Indonesia.