Issues continue at Liberty Liege/Dudelange

Sources in the steel market have continued to report issues linked to supply from the rolling mills of Liberty Steel located in Liege and Dudelange, in Belgium and Luxembourg respectively.

Earlier in April the company confirmed the mills were producing at less than full capacity, but did not wish to comment further on the latest rumours circulating since last week. Some indicated that production was as low as 40% of the total rolling lines capacity in April.

Despite the very strong demand for coils in the European market, sources are reporting that the company has been cancelling previously received orders in recent weeks and is continuing to struggle with a lack of HRC supplies as feedstock for its rolling mills. Cancellations have been applied to both spot and long term contracts, creating issues in the Benelux supply of rolled CRC and HDG.

The Belgian press reported that 32,000t of Indian HRC were delivered to Liberty Steel Liege in April by river from the port of Antwerp, Kallanish notes.

Emanuele Norsa Italy