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Argus’ comprehensive coverage of the global ferrous markets provide independent price assessments, news and market analysis for iron ore, coking coal, ferrous scrap, pig iron and steel.
Our global team of experts in China, Singapore, the UK and US deliver over 300 domestic and seaborne price assessments along with detailed market commentary on a daily basis to ensure our clients have complete mine to mill price coverage.
The ferrous portfolio includes established Argus price indices for 62pc and 65pc iron ore fines, Turkish ferrous scrap imports, and our fob Australia and cfr China premium hard coking coal indices.
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Recent deep-sea and short-sea cfr Turkey scrap deals
Recent deep-sea and short-sea cfr Turkey scrap deals
London, 12 March (Argus) — A summary of the most recent deep-sea and short-sea cfr Turkey ferrous scrap deals seen by Argus. Ferrous scrap deep-sea trades (average composition price, cfr Turkey) Date Volume, t Price, $ Shipment Buyer Seller Composition Index relevant 5-Mar 40,000 363.50 (80:20) March Marmara Cont.Europe HMS 1/2 80:20, bonus, shred Y 3-Mar 30,000 365 (80:20) April Izmir Cont.Europe HMS 1/2 80:20, bonus, shred N 3-Mar 30,000 370 (80:20) April Izmir Cont.Europe HMS 1/2 80:20, bonus, shred Y 25-Feb 40,000 374 (80:20) March Izmir West Coast USA HMS 1/2 80:20, bonus, shred Y 19-Feb 40,000 372.50 (80:20) April Izmir Scandinavia/Baltics HMS 1/2 80:20, bonus, shred Y 17-Feb 40,000 365 (80:20) March/April Izmir Cont.Europe HMS 1/2 80:20, bonus, shred N 17-Feb 40,000 375 (80:20) March Izmir USA HMS 1/2 80:20, bonus, shred Y 17-Feb 40,000 375 (80:20) March Marmara USA HMS 1/2 80:20, bonus, shred Y Ferrous scrap short-sea trades (average composition price, cif Marmara) Date Volume, t Price, $ Shipment Buyer Seller Composition Index relevant 6-Feb 3,000 362 (80:20) January Samsun Romania HMS 1/2 80:20 Y Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2026. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.
US may waive Jones Act shipping restrictions
US may waive Jones Act shipping restrictions
New York, 12 March (Argus) — President Donald Trump's administration is considering temporarily waiving Jones Act restrictions on domestic shipping to ensure the stability of supply chains during the US-Israel war with Iran. While the action has not been finalized, the waiver would be for a limited period to ensure energy and agricultural products are flowing freely to US ports, the White House told Argus today. The Jones Act is a longstanding US maritime law that requires commercial vessels operating between US ports to be built, owned, operated and crewed by US citizens. Jones Act tankers normally command a premium because of their unique status and limited number compared to the overall international fleet. While permanent changes to the Jones Act require congressional approval, waivers can be issued by the president's administration, often during natural disaster-driven supply chain disruption. By Charlotte Bawol Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2026. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.
India's steel sector sounds alarm on gas supply crunch
India's steel sector sounds alarm on gas supply crunch
Mumbai, 12 March (Argus) — India's steel sector has started to feel the effect from gas supply shortages, with industry experts cautioning of bigger disruptions if the US-Israel war with Iran is prolonged. Some steel producers, particularly smaller induction furnace (IF)-based manufacturers, were reducing output and rationing existing gas supplies, market participants told Argus . With 67pc of India's LNG imports sourced from the Middle East, the ongoing crisis has resulted in major supply disruptions. The Indian government has prioritised domestic natural gas supply for the household sector, further tightening availability for industries, including steel. Some secondary steel producers, which use scrap and direct-reduced iron (DRI) as feedstocks, were grappling with hurdles in their daily operations. In Punjab state's Mandi Gobindgarh, manufacturers could meet 50pc of customer requirements while smaller mills in western India's Gujarat state could fulfil about 70pc of demand, a north India steel producer said. A portion of IF-based mills in Mandi Gobindgarh that were using piped natural gas (PNG) had reduced output, the producer added. Others that were largely running on coal were also curtailing use of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), required for cutting and maintenance purposes and for handling of misrolled or deformed steel products. Secondary steel producers in Maharashtra state's Jalna market said there were no production cuts in the region yet because of gas shortages. But an increase in imported thermal coal prices has affected most secondary mills, while imported scrap has become unviable. Among major integrated producers, ArcelorMittal Nippon Steel (AM/NS) India was at a major risk because it used gas-based DRI at a large scale, market participants said. About 65pc of the company's steelmaking capacity of 9mn t/yr uses the gas-based DRI-electric arc furnace route. A trading firm said it was anticipating a 20pc reduction in steel supply from AM/NS in the near term. A mill source said they had hedged their gas supply but there were risks of potentially bigger gas disruptions if the war persisted for a longer period. Costs of propane, ammonia and even packaging and plastics are on the rise, pushing up expenses for producers, the source noted. Another producer said they were not facing any major hurdles because of gas supply shortages as they were heavily reliant on coal-based production processes. But disruptions to the supply of limestone, which India sources from Ras Al Khaimah in the Middle East, have hit bigger steelmakers. The gas supply shortages have ratcheted up concerns for the downstream steel sector, as the galvanised steel industry is a major propane consumer. Smaller re-rollers have been particularly hit, with several at risk of curtailing or ceasing operations, market sources said. A major integrated mill with downstream production facilities said they had marginally reduced their galvanised output and were using their existing gas supplies carefully. The ongoing crisis has also rippled through to some trade market participants. A Mumbai-based trading firm said it was unable to service many of its pending plate orders because it used a gas-based cutting process and was short on gas supplies. Outlook for steel prices uncertain Prices for finished steel, which have already surged over the past few months, could keep rising because of elevated input costs and gas supply shortages for mills. The Argus weekly Indian domestic hot-rolled coil (HRC) assessment for 2.5mm-4mm material was at 54,300 rupees/t ($587/t) ex-Mumbai, excluding goods and services tax, on 6 March, rising by 17pc from mid-December 2025. But a key risk is that major steel-consuming industries could also face disruptions because of tighter gas supply, forcing them to cut back on their production and reduce steel procurement. There is not as much demand traction as was expected from consumers under current market conditions, indicating they may be in a wait-and-see mode, a steel mill source said. By Amruta Khandekar Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2026. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.
Australia’s BHP iron ore site staff launch strike vote
Australia’s BHP iron ore site staff launch strike vote
Sydney, 12 March (Argus) — Electrical workers supporting BHP's iron ore operations in Western Australia have launched a strike ballot following a year of negotiations over an inaugural workplace agreement. Voting on the ballot — which covers 60 BHP staffers — closes on 25 March, the Electrical Trades Union (ETU) said in a statement on 12 March. Workers will vote on authorising a range of actions, including on-call and overtime bans, 15-minute to 48-hour work stoppages, meeting bans and more, the ETU added. The ETU will be able to launch work stoppages and other forms of industrial action if the ballot is successful. Workers will not take actions that threaten the safety of workers or the community, the union said. BHP has strong contingency plans in place to ensure that safe and reliable operations can continue in the event of union disruptions at its sites, a company spokesperson told Argus on 12 March. The company's focus remains on reaching an outcome that maintains pay and conditions while supporting safe, productive, and sustainable operations, the spokesperson added. BHP's electrical workers are currently employed on individual contracts. ETU workers at the company are seeking a workplace agreement that protects existing conditions and provides additional transparency around pay and job classifications, among other things, the union said. The ETU's ballot launch comes just under a year after the majority of workers at Rio Tinto's 25mn t/yr Paraburdoo iron ore complex backed collective bargaining. The number of Australian workers involved in industrial disputes rose to 112,500 in 2025 from 89,100 in 2024 and 46,000 in 2023, recently released data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics show. By Avinash Govind Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2026. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.
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