Contributor: Kristen DiLandro

Canada's Algoma Steel and Roshel Inc. have partnered to form Roshel Algoma Defence (RADS), a sovereign ballistic steel solutions joint venture.

Iron ore shipments on the Great Lakes in March were down 23.5% from a year earlier, according to the latest report by Lake Carriers’ Association.  

The American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI) reported a 2.5% decrease in domestic steel shipments for February compared to January. However, shipments are up 5.1% in 2026 from the same month in 2025. 

Baker Hughes’ latest report for the week ended April 2 showed the US added five rigs while Canada's count decreased by 11.

Spot market participants worry that limited availability for certain grades of domestically produced plate will extend lead times even further.  

US manufacturing activity grew for the third straight month in March, according to the latest report from the Institute for Supply Management (ISM). March marked the 17th month of overall economic expansion. 

Beginning April 1, Koji Sakatani will lead Primetals Technologies as its CEO, simultaneously acting as its interim global CFO.

The layoffs at Algoma Steel’s integrated facility went into effect today. Going forward, it will use the electric arc furnace (EAF) for producing its steel.

Plate market sources say the week has been quiet, but that overall, business remains consistent.

As spot prices for hot- and cold-rolled coils edge higher, mill capacity utilization rates hover below 80%, raising concern among some market participants.  

The UK will reduce steel import quotas and raise outside caps to 50%.

The Canadian government has placed limits on salaries, bonuses, and other forms of compensation for top executives at Algoma Steel, according to a local media report.

This week sources said spot prices on hot-rolled coils increased modestly. 

Domestic plate market participants expressed confidence in the overall improvement of market conditions this week.  

Nucor Plate Group notified customers it is increasing prices on all rolled products by $40 per short ton (st) and $60/st on all heat treat products.  

Worthington Steel reduced its minimum acceptance threshold to 57.5% for its purchase of Kloeckner & Co.  

Nucor’s consumer spot price (CSP) for hot-rolled coil increased to $1,010 per short ton (st), up $5/st from last week. 

Participants in the US hot- and cold-rolled sheet market cautiously called the week a win as prices inched north and demand picked up.  

Plate sources say they’re welcoming imports as domestic mill delivery delays, extended lead times, and climbing prices make fully adopting US-produced plate products unrealistic.  

Economic activity across the US increased at a light-to-modest pace in seven of the 12 Federal Reserve Districts, according to the US Federal Reserve’s latest Beige Book report.  

The American Metals Supply Chain Institute (AMSCI) said increasing insurance premiums, potential vessel diversions, and contractual risk evaluations began in the global freight market as geopolitical conflict escalates in the Persian Gulf region.  

Iron ore shipments on the Great Lakes reached 2 million short tons in January. 

Sources in the domestic hot- and cold-rolled coil market said they are beginning to feel prices creeping up this week.  

Plate industry sources said the market has been characterized by three factors lately: fewer domestic mills willing to fulfill spot buys, inconsistent lead times, and erratic demand.

US hot-rolled coil prices are set to rise year on year in 2026, but the market will face heightened volatility as import flows recover and new domestic capacity comes online, CRU Research Principal Josh Spoores said at this year's Tampa Steel Conference. 

SMU sits down with JSW Steel USA CEO Rob Simon.

Steelforce Packaging restructured its North American operations into an entity it now calls Steelforce America. Brion S. Talley will lead Steelforce America as its CEO.

Participants in the domestic sheet market say they experienced lighter inquiries and fewer orders than in previous weeks, rendering domestic mill price increases for spot-market hot- and cold-rolled coils irrelevant.  

The galvanized steel market is navigating price increases and longer lead times with a surer footing than in prior months.  

Once wintery weather gives way to sunnier spring conditions, plate sources foresee the market accepting the $50-60 per short ton spot price increases issued by Nucor Plate Group, Oregon Steel Mills, and SSAB.