The rapid unfolding of the invasion by Russia of Ukrainian territory started last week swiftly impacted steel supplies. Ukrainian miners and steelmakers rapidly announced the stoppage of production and shipments and the domino effect on steel markets started unfolding.

Iron ore pellet producer Ferrexpo announced Friday that export activity at the port of Pivdenny in southwestern Ukraine, where a berth for its shipping is located, has been temporarily suspended at the request of the port authorities.
As a result, the group's marketing department has issued force majeure notices to some customers who were due to receive product on an ocean-going vessel in the near future.

However, the mining and processing enterprises of the group, located near the city of Horishni Plavni in central Ukraine, continue to operate. The enterprise claims it is able to store its iron ore pellet on site, while Ukraine's logistics networks continue to experience disruptions after the Ukrainian government suspended rail transportation.

The main focus of the group, it says, remains the safety of its workforce in Ukraine.

Ukrainian pipemaker Interpipe has created an anti-crisis headquarters, whose tasks include constant monitoring of the situation and making necessary decisions. It has also announced early payment for February to support its employees. The company says production continues.

Earlier, Metinvest suspended production at its Ilyich and Azovstal plants in Mariupol, which is being besieged by Russian troops.

ArcelorMittal Kryvyi Rih (AMKR) has meanwhile announced the reduction of steel output to a technical minimum, and production will be stopped at its underground mines.

Other Ukrainian steel enterprises like DMZ continue to work as usual for now.