The persistent heatwave in France is impacting transport and activity across the steel sector, including at mills and distributors, sources tell Kallanish.
Deliveries, particularly in the afternoon, are slowing as workers struggle to operate in sweltering yards and are reducing their hours to avoid the heat.
A purchasing group also warns of slowing deliveries and receptions, with many workers taking days off this week ahead of an expected easing of the heat on Sunday.
At northern ports, vessel discharging activity is also slowing. “France is not organised for extreme heat. Only a few cranes have air conditioning at the ports of Rouen and Gent, and the ones without are impossible to use,” one source in the scrap segment tells Kallanish.
Another source warns of possible delivery disruptions because of the low levels of rivers between France and Germany.
Two mill sources report that equipment is overheating, with breakdowns requiring repairs taking two to three hours and disrupting production.
Air conditioning is not widespread in central and northern France, where the majority of mills, distributors and shredders are located. A scrap seller warns that the risk of fire is significantly heightened in the current conditions. while office spaces benefit from air conditioning, shredder operating areas are described as unbearably hot, with workers taking holiday.
Two French distributors say that activity in June had recovered slightly from the lull seen the previous month but has since slowed sharply due to the weather. School closures in some regions on Thursday and Friday, and early afternoon shutdowns, are adding a further layer of disruption to the working week.
Author: Natalia Capra
