Steel

Export opportunities crucial for Turkish mills in 2025

London, 17 January (Argus) — Waning prospects for the Turkish domestic rebar market means domestic steel mills are keeping a close eye on developments in potential key export destinations, as well as in key global demand drivers China and the US. The recent ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas could lead to a recovery of Turkish exports to Israel in the coming months, while there is some expectation that the Chinese government will announce further stimulus packages once Donald Trump is inaugurated as US president on 20 January for a second term. At the same time, mills producers will be keen for the Turkish government to persuade Syria's new government to soften its stance on its steep hike in import duties announced earlier this week. Post-earthquake reconstruction work in southern Turkey is not likely to provide the same level of support to prices this year that it did last year. Earthquakes struck in the Iskenderun region of Turkey and in northern Syria in February 2023, eventually resulting in strong demand for rebar used for reconstruction work throughout most of last year. But the premium enjoyed by Iskenderun-based steelmakers as a result has become a discount in recent weeks as demand has faded, and with local supply so far failing to respond. In housing projects, rebar is required mainly in the foundations of buildings, and so even for projects that are not yet completed, the spike in rebar demand in the region may have run its course. Recent acquisitions in the Iskenderun region by major producers Habas and Tosyali are squeezing local prices, with Tosyali's July acquisition, the former Bastug steelworks, currently operating at 75pc capacity, or 3,000 t/d, according to local sources. There could be further consolidations and also an idling of capacity in the Turkish market in the coming months, as smaller companies struggle against tepid demand and elevated costs. Tosyali is considering making a bid for Izmir-based longs producer Ege Celik, market sources said. The export market will continue to be a challenge for Turkish suppliers this year, as it has been for the past few years, and Trump's return to office is set to push the world towards more trade barriers. The Israel-Hamas ceasefire deal, approved by the Israeli parliament today, could lead to an outlet for Turkish steel, as the Turkish government is expected to quietly allow companies to export to Israel again if fighting does not resume. Before the conflict broke out, Israel was a major destination for Turkish rebar. The Turkish trade ministry today said it will meet with Syrian representatives next week to pursue a free trade deal, following the new Syrian government's decision to raise import tariffs steeply with immediate effect, with duties on some commodities increasing fourfold. If the higher tariffs remain in place, it could significantly dent southern Turkish rebar producers' hopes of selling large volumes to Syria from later this year onwards as the country starts to rebuild following several years of civil war. Overall, Turkish mills will be more reliant on export opportunities this year than in 2024, with much ultimately depending on the extent to which Chinese exports continue to pressure the global steel market. The International Rebar Exporters' Association today said its hopes for a real resurgence in Chinese domestic steel demand were muted, implying that Chinese export volumes are likely to remain elevated after hitting record levels in 2024. By Brendan Kjellberg-Motton Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2025. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.

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Port of Liverpool to hike steel handling, storage fees

Port of Liverpool to hike steel handling, storage fees

London, 17 January (Argus) — UK port operator Peel Ports will increase steel handling and storage fees at the Port of Liverpool from 1 April, multiple market sources told Argus today. The port cited an increase of around 10pc in its operational expenditure, alongside some other drivers, for the hike. The port said it has invested in two new indoor storage sheds exclusively for steel and metals, in addition to its existing two sheds, nine and ten, and that it remains committed to achieving net zero emissions by 2040. Storage rates for coil are increasing by around 10-20pc, sources surveyed by Argus said. The fee paid by trading firms, which drive the increase in volume into Liverpool, varies depending on the amount they take into the port — larger traders with higher volumes secure cheaper rates, while smaller trading firms face higher fees, to the chagrin of new entrants. Those paying lower prices will see a 20pc increase from April, while those with higher prices will have a 10pc rise. Some will be paying over £9/t for coil handling after the increase, at a time of depressed margins for the whole of the supply chain. Those paying over £9/t would be paying the Port of Bristol around £7/t, and less at Newport. Liverpool offers four weeks of free storage before quay rental charges kick in. Those will rise to £1/t per week for some. Other ports offer eight weeks of free storage. "As a responsible business we always aim to achieve the right balance of providing competitive rates to reinvest in our facilities. Our charges reflect the multiple pressures the business is experiencing, such as higher inflation and changes to the fiscal regime including National Insurance, business rates and vehicle taxes," a Port of Liverpool spokesperson said. By Colin Richardson Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2025. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.

W Australian iron ore exports slip on year in December

W Australian iron ore exports slip on year in December

Sydney, 17 January (Argus) — Iron ore shipments from Western Australia's (WA) Pilbara region slid on the year in December, driven by a decline in exports to most major markets. Australian miners shipped 61.3mn t of iron from Dampier and Port Hedland over December 2024, Pilbara Ports Authority (PPA) data show, down by 2.1pc on the year. Exports from Dampier rose by 7.8pc on the year in December, but this did not offset a 4.7pc decline at the larger Port Hedland. Combined exports from Port Hedland and Dampier were 2.8pc higher in 2024 than they were in 2023. Shipments from Dampier grew by 3pc over the year, above exports from Port Hedland which rose by 2.6pc. Multiple WA mines continued ramping up their operations over the year, boosting domestic output. Many of them will keep increasing production throughout 2025, according to iron producers. Port Hedland services major miners BHP, Fortescue, Roy Hill, Hancock Prospecting, and Mineral Resources, while Rio Tinto exports ore from Port Dampier and Port Walcott. Declines in December exports from Port Hedland were spread relatively evenly across most markets, except for India. Shipments to China and South Korea — the port's two largest export markets in December — plunged by 2.6pc and 20pc on the year, respectively, to 41.8mn t and 2.8mn t. The two countries accounted for 93.7pc of Port Hedland exports last month. But exports from Port Hedland to India more than doubled from 379,383t a year earlier to 770,692t in December, underscoring the market's increasing importance to Australian producers. Two major Indian steelmakers, Tata Steel and JSW Steel, boosted production over October-December, after expanding their existing plants. But there are signs that Chinese demand for Australian iron ore may have started to recover since the end of December, with shipping records indicating that exports from WA to China rose by 8pc on the year over the first two weeks of January to 25.5mn t. But ore shipments to north Asia have continued to drop in January, with Australia's combined exports to Japan and South Korea falling by 8.1pc on the year to just 3.6mn t over the first half of the month. Argus ' iron ore fines 62pc Fe cfr Qingdao price dropped from $133.30/t to $98.50/t over 2024. The price averaged just $105.30/t in December 2024, down from $134.50/t a year earlier. By Avinash Govind Pilbara Iron Exports mn t Dec'24 Dec'23 Nov'24 Jan-Dec '24 Jan-Dec '23 Port Hedland 47.6 49.9 48.8 568.7 554.3 Dampier 13.7 12.7 13.0 499.0 484.5 Total 61.3 62.6 61.8 1,067.7 1,038.8 PPA Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2025. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.

Brazil steel imports hit record high in 2024

Brazil steel imports hit record high in 2024

Sao Paulo, 16 January (Argus) — Brazil steel imports grew by 18pc to a record in 2024 as exports declined. Steel imports rose to 5.9mn metric tonnes last year from 5mn t in 2023, according to national steel industry body Instituto Aco Brasil. December imports fell by 36pc to 324,000 t from the same month in 2023. Steel production rose by 5.5pc to 33.7mn t last year from 32mn t in 2023. Exports totaled 9.6mn t in 2024, an 18pc decline from a year prior, partly because of hold-ups at the federal revenue service. Brazil's apparent steel use — the sum of production and imports minus exports, commonly used to measure steel demand — rose by 8.3pc to 25.9mn t. Domestic sales rose by 8.3pc, reaching 21.1mn t. By Isabel Filgueiras Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2025. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.

Pacific Steel receives $200mn loan