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), 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)