Key U.S. coal surges near $130 a short ton

HOUSTON, June 11 (Reuters) - Prices for key U.S. coals rose sharply Wednesday, with one nearing $130 a short ton on the New York Mercantile Exchange.

July CSX rail-delivered Central Appalachian coal soared $6 to $128 a short ton. July NYMEX Big Sandy River barge-hauled coal rose to $113 a ton, up about $3.

With exports up, world prices rising and the spring U.S. stockpile build weak in the East, traders said U.S. utilities appear to be stepping up competition for domestic supply.

"The world market remains strong, and I imagine the domestic market is trying to keep tonnage here at home," a trader said. (Reporting by Bruce Nichols; Editing by David Gregorio)