CSX CEO sees coal export demand strong through '09

DETROIT, April 16 (Reuters) - Demand for U.S. coal exports should continue strong through 2009, boosting business for railroad CSX Corp (CSX.N: Quote, Profile, Research), the company's top executive said on Wednesday.

"Demand for export coal should remain strong at least through 2009," Chief Executive Michael Ward told Reuters in a telephone interview.

Ward said that demand for ethanol, which doubled year-over-year in the first quarter, should also remain at current high levels throughout 2008. (Reporting by Nick Carey, editing by Tim Dobbyn)