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US stainless: Surcharges nudge lower

  • : Crude oil, Metals
  • 19/10/25

US stainless steel producers' monthly alloy surcharges for austenitic grades of stainless steel flat-rolled products dropped narrowly for November shipments.

This marks the first month on month drop since June.

US producers North American Stainless, AK Steel, Allegheny Technologies and Outokumpu set stainless 304 surcharges at 73.74-76.99¢/lb, down marginally from the prior-month range of 74.34-77.59¢/lb.

The four reporting major US mills said average four-week nickel prices for the period ended 20 October increased by 1pc to $7.91/lb from $7.83/lb a month earlier.

Chromium remained at $1.02/lb as US mills use the quarterly European chromium benchmark for the chromium value in stainless steel scrap.

US stainless steel producers also decreased stainless 316 surcharges for November shipments. The four reporting US mills dropped slightly type 316 surcharges to $1.0635-1.0960/lb from a range of $1.0792-$1.1117/lb a month earlier.

Molybdenum prices fell by 4.2pc to $11.38/lb, down from $11.88/lb during the reporting period ending 20 October.

US producers reported iron at $220/gross tonne (gt), down $40/gt from the month prior.


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25/04/24

Freeport expects tariffs to increase costs 5pc

Freeport expects tariffs to increase costs 5pc

Houston, 24 April (Argus) — US-based copper producer Freeport-McMoRan expects tariffs to increase the costs of goods needed for operations by 5pc, as suppliers will likely pass on tariff-related costs. The 145pc tariffs imposed by the US on China on 10 April will likely have the largest influence on the estimated 5pc increase, according to Freeport-McMoRan chief executive officer Kathleen Quirk. Approximately 40pc of the company's US costs will not be subject to tariffs, as they relate to labor and services. Copper is currently exempt from tariffs after President Donald Trump signed an executive order on 25 February launching a Section 232 investigation into the effect of copper imports on US national and economic security. Freeport said that its first quarter copper sales volumes of 872mn lbs exceeded its earlier estimate of 850mn lbs. But copper sales revenue decreased to $872mn this quarter from $1.1bn the first quarter of 2024. Copper production and sales were pressured in the quarter by shut operations at its Manyar smelter in Indonesia following sfire in October . The company expects start-up activities to begin at the smelter in the second quarter and return to full operations by the end of 2025. The company's molybdenum first quarter sales remained the same as 2024 first quarter's at $20mn. Freeport's net income for the first quarter was $352mn, a decrease from $473mn in the first quarter of 2024. By Reagan Patrowicz Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2025. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.

Water levels delay Tennessee River lock reopening


25/04/24
25/04/24

Water levels delay Tennessee River lock reopening

Houston, 24 April (Argus) — The US Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) will delay the reopening of the Tennessee River's Wilson Lock by three weeks after high floodwater disrupted repair plans. The Wilson Lock is now planned to reopen in mid-June or July, the Corps said this week. The lock's main chamber has been closed since September after severe cracks were found in the structure. The Corps initiated evacuation procedures so personnel and equipment could be removed before any water entered the dewatered lock and ruined repairs after high water appeared too close to the lock's edge. The water did not crest above the temporary barrier the Corps installed to keep water out. Delays at the lock averaged around 10 days as of 24 April, according to the Corps. Barge carriers fees have been in place for each barge that must pass through the auxiliary chamber of the lock since 25 September, when the lock first closed. Restricted barge movement placed upward pressure on fertilizer prices in surrounding areas as well. The lock still requires structural repairs to the main chamber gates, including the replacement of the pintle components, the Corps said. This is the fourth opening delay the Corps have issued for the Wilson Lock, with the prior opening dates being in November , then April and then in June . The Wilson Lock will enter its eighth month of repairs next month. By Meghan Yoyotte and Sneha Kumar Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2025. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.

US port fees threaten some metal shippers


25/04/24
25/04/24

US port fees threaten some metal shippers

Pittsburgh, 24 April (Argus) — US scrap metal shippers will see varying degrees of exposure to US Trade Representative's (USTR) revised proposal for port fees on Chinese-built and operated ships. USTR finalized a plan 17 April to apply a $50/net ton (nt) fee on Chinese operators and owners and a $18/nt fee on Chinese-built ships that dock in the US. The fees will begin in mid-October with incremental increases over the next three years. The agency determined that China's dominance of the maritime, logistics, and shipbuilding sectors has reduced supply chain resilience by displacing foreign firms, lessening competition, and creating dependencies on the country. The number of US-flagged or -built ships has decreased by 34pc since 2010 to 185 in 2024, US Bureau of Transportation statistics data show. US-flagged or -built vessels accounted for 0.4pc of the global fleet in 2019. The fees are less severe than the industry anticipated, but sweeping exemptions will result in uneven impacts for bulk and container shippers. Fees largely spare bulk shippers Bulk scrap metal shippers will have the least direct impact from the new policies because ships arriving empty or in ballast and vessels carrying 80,000 deadweight tons (dwt) or less will be excluded from the charges associated with using a Chinese-built ship. Chinese-built ships account for 41pc of the 14,661 active vessels in the dry bulk global fleet, according to global ship tracking analytics firm Kpler. Bulk scrap exporters most commonly use Handysize vessels, but some occasionally fix bigger ships. The average weight of a bulk ferrous scrap export vessel in 2024 was 33,500 metric tonnes (t), according to manifest data. Even the largest Supramax vessel booked by east coast scrap exporters in 2024, the Denak D , would still qualify for the weight exemption. Most market participants are still working through the notice and waiting for more details regarding the exemptions. The USTR has not responded to requests for clarification on exemptions. Chinese-owned and Chinese-operated vessels would still be subject to the fees . Bulk shippers will be exposed to this direct cost, unless they shy away from Chinese-owned or operated vessel fixtures. But competition for these vessels will likely raise freight rates and availability as other commodity sectors shift their bookings as well, market sources said. Mills see some exposure on metallics US steelmakers importing bulk scrap will also broadly be spared from higher port fees related to Chinese-built vessels because of the weight exemptions, but some mills will be more exposed on imports of pig iron. Pig iron shippers occasionally use Kamsarmax vessels over 80,000dwt. But the vast majority of US pig iron imports travels in smaller vessels, such as Supramax or Ultramax size, which tend to have capacities well below the 80,000dwt limit. USTR offered exemptions to short-haul voyages under 2,000 nautical miles, which will help to relieve costs for shipments on the Great Lakes or between the US Gulf coast and Mexico. Mills would still be exposed to fees on any Chinese-owned or Chinese-operated vessel. Fees put container shippers at risk US container scrap exporters are the most vulnerable to the USTR's finalized plan on Chinese ship operators' vessels calling at US ports. Chinese built vessels account for about 50pc of all container ships globally, a market source said. USTR plans to impose a fee of $120 for each container discharged on a Chinese-built vessel beginning in mid-October with annual increases over the next three years reaching $250 for every container in April 2028. US shippers typically load about 25t in containers on the east coast and around 20t on the west coast. Containerized traders are bracing for higher freight costs later this year once the fees go into effect. USTR proposed exemptions for container vessels with a capacity no greater than 4,000 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEU), but most of the ships servicing the US export market are minimum of 8,000 TEUs, market participants said. The added port fees will likely get passed through to US customers via higher freight costs, a freight forwarder said. But for the short-term, blank sailings and new vessel capacity coming online has helped to keep rates steady, according to market participants. These added costs, paired with broader concerns of a flagging economy have begun to worry market participants over possible margin compression in the fourth quarter. By Brad MacAulay and James Marshall Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2025. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.

Indonesia developing ETS ahead of EU CBAM introduction


25/04/24
25/04/24

Indonesia developing ETS ahead of EU CBAM introduction

London, 24 April (Argus) — Indonesia is developing its own emissions trading system (ETS) in conjunction with the EU ahead of the introduction of Europe's carbon-border adjustment mechanism (CBAM), delegates at the inaugural Argus Nickel Indonesia conference heard today. The country is working closely with the European Commission to develop an ETS to offset any potential tariffs and duties imposed under the new CBAM, which will be introduced in 2026, Head of Centre for Green Industry at Indonesia's Ministry of Industry, Apit Pria Nugraha, told delegates. "We are now working hand in hand with the commission to establish a mandatory carbon market," Nugraha said. "One of the motivations is to use carbon credits to offset the CBAM tariff." He added that the country is working to decarbonise its stainless steel industry by switching to new furnace types and upgrading facilities ahead of the CBAM. While Indonesia's main buyer is China, the country has ambitions to be a global supplier of stainless steel, as well as nickel and cobalt to the battery industry. Nickel is not yet directly impacted by the CBAM, but is indirectly impacted owing to the inclusion of stainless steel in the mechanism. "We are also exploring mechanisms such as preferential treatment for certified green products, export benefits linked to sustainability metrics and finance solutions to de-risk innovations," Nugraha said. "Companies which meet CBAM and ESG standards early will be rewarded with pricing premiums and strategic partnerships. Indonesia must move fast to lead on quality and sustainability." Nickel industry prepares for increased scrutiny Indonesia's rapidly growing nickel industry is preparing for increased scrutiny that will come with the CBAM, and carmakers increasing ESG demands as they transition to electric vehicles. "ESG is one of the top priorities for the global mining and metal companies — we can no longer ignore it," Head of Sustainability at Nickel Industries, M. Muchtazar, told delegates. "Those who have strong ESG policies and implementation will prevail against the competition." Muchtazar explained that the new generation of high-pressure acid leaching operations planned by Nickel Industries will significantly reduce the carbon footprint of its nickel mines, with a shift towards solar power and re-usable heat from its sulphide plants — averaging 6.97t of CO2 per tonne of nickel produced, lower than the estimated 13t average — into Class 1 nickel, according to a report by CarbonChain. CBAM is likely to become an "effective import tariff" on high-emission producers of products going into steel and could be extended out to new products in the future, including Class 1 nickel, Carboneer managing director Simon Goess told delegates. He estimated that an importer of 85,000 t/yr of pig iron, ferro-nickel and crude steel could face charges of €20mn-40mn ($22.8mn-45.5mn) by 2034, assuming indirect emissions become targeted by the CBAM by 2030, a significant proportion of the value of those imports. "Green nickel is more than just a buzzword, it is a competitive imperative," Nugraha said. "We must act now to advance sustainability into our nickel industry, not just for compliance but for resilience, profitability and also global leadership." By Thomas Kavanagh Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2025. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.

Eni cuts capex on macro headwinds, tariff uncertainty


25/04/24
25/04/24

Eni cuts capex on macro headwinds, tariff uncertainty

London, 24 April (Argus) — Italy's Eni has cut its spending plans for this year in response to macroeconomic headwinds, uncertainty around trade tariffs and a lower oil price outlook. The company is planning a series of "mitigation measures" worth over €2bn [$2.28bn], a key element of which is a reduction in 2025 capex to below €8.5bn from previous guidance of €9bn. Eni now expects net capex — which takes into account acquisitions and asset sales — to come in below €6bn this year, compared with its initial plan of €6.5bn-7bn. Other savings will come from "mitigating actions" around its portfolio, operating costs and "other cash initiatives", the firm said. Eni's plan reflects a tariff-driven deterioration in the outlook for the global economy and, in turn, global oil demand and oil prices. The company has revised its Brent crude price assumption for 2025 down to $65/bl from $75/bl previously. It has also lowered its refining margin indicator assumption for the year to $3.5/bl from $4.7/bl. The lower oil price assumption has not changed the company's upstream production forecast — it still expects 2025 output to average 1.7mn b/d of oil equivalent (boe/d). But Eni's production in the first quarter was only 1.65mn boe/d, 5pc lower than the same period last year. The firm's gas production took the biggest hit, falling by 9pc on the year to 4.5bn ft³/d (861,000 boe/d) as a result of divestments and natural decline at mature fields. Liquids output fell by 1pc year on year to 786,000 boe/d. Eni reported a profit of €1.17bn for January-March, 3pc lower than the same period last year. Underlying profit— which strips out inventory valuation effects and other one off-items — fell by 11pc on the year to €1.41bn. Eni said the fall in profits was mainly due to lower oil prices. The company also had to contend with weaker refining margins and throughputs, as well as a continuing downturn in the European chemicals sector. By Aydin Calik Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2025. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.

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