Steel Mills
![](https://www.steelmarketupdate.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/media/k2/items/src/cebe7a32f718abbc3fe317e430c8f4d8.jpg)
ArcelorMittal Not Affected by Ice Blocking USS Gary Deliveries
Written by Sandy Williams
April 6, 2014
Unusual ice build-up on the Great Lakes has caused delays of raw materials headed for steel mills in the Midwest. Earlier this week, US Steel notified customers that Gary Works blast furnaces and steelmaking operations will be down temporarily due to “unforeseen and unprecedented ice conditions on the Great Lakes that is delaying the transportation of critical raw materials.”
SMU asked ArcelorMittal if they are experiencing similar problems. ArcelorMittal said the “ice conditions are the worst in 30 years” and the company is “monitoring the situation very closely.” A spokesman gave the following statement:
“To date, ArcelorMittal operations in the Midwest have maintained finished inventories and on time deliveries despite the harsh winter, and we recognize and thank our employees for their commitment in this effort. We also benefit from sourcing a significant amount of raw material from Lake Michigan ports, which do not transit the Soo Locks.
“ArcelorMittal’s three U.S. integrated facilities on the Great Lakes depend on our waterways for raw material shipments, which include roughly 21 million tons of iron ore per year. This situation underscores the need for Congress to support the valuable work of the US Coast Guard’s heavy icebreaker Mackinaw and pass the Water Resources Development Act, which will provide crucial funding to the Army Corps of Engineers for the maintenance and modernization of our waterways.”
Ice on Lake Michigan reached a record in March with 93.29 percent ice cover. Ice so far this month has been moving in and out of Chicago Harbor with the winds making shipping difficult. Chunks of ice up to 8 feet thick are clogging the commercial waterways, quickly refilling the open water as ice breaking ships clear the path. The Coast Guard antiicpate ice breaking to continue into well into May this year. Melting snow and ice is expected to raise the water level 14 inches by August according to the Army Corps of Engineers.
Steel buyers need to be ready for interruptions in shipping on the Mississippi River as the ice in the northern regions of the country melt pushing river levels higher. The higher river levels and threats of flooding affect barge traffic.
![](https://www.steelmarketupdate.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/04/sandy-williams.jpeg)
Sandy Williams
Read more from Sandy WilliamsLatest in Steel Mills
![](https://www.steelmarketupdate.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/images/Featured_News_Icons/Nucor.png)
Nucor lowers 2024 output estimate for Brandenburg plate mill
Nucor has lowered the 2024 production estimate for its Brandenburg, Ky., plate mill due to soft market conditions.
![](https://www.steelmarketupdate.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/images/Featured_News_Icons/SSAB.png)
SSAB adjusts output in weak Q3, readies for Q4 rebound
SSAB said lower plate prices in the US were the primary reason for reduced results in the second quarter. With a dismal Q3 outlook, the Swedish steelmaker is adjusting production across its facilities. That includes moving up its annual US mill outage in anticipation of a better Q4. SSAB Americas Revenues in the Americas segment […]
![](https://www.steelmarketupdate.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/images/Featured_News_Icons/Nucor.png)
Topalian puts focus on “unfair” trade, eyes USMCA partners
Nucor’s top executive expressed concerns over unfair trade practices, highlighting increased steel imports from Mexico and Canada.
![](https://www.steelmarketupdate.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/images/Featured_News_Icons/Cliffs_logo2.2.png)
Cliffs sees close of Stelco buy, bottom to steel tags, and Mexico out of USMCA
Cleveland-Cliffs expects its acquisition of Canada’s Stelco to close later this year, which will help the the Cleveland-based steelmaker as a bottom to steel tags nears.
![](https://www.steelmarketupdate.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/images/Featured_News_Icons/Nucor.png)
Nucor posts lower Q2 earnings, predicts tough Q3 too
Nucor recording lower second quarter earnings on falling steel prices. And the Charlotte, N.C.-based predicted that profits would be lower still in the third quarter, primarily because of weaker results from its steel mills divisions.