A shortage of truck drivers and flat-bed trucks is delaying steel shipments at critical points in the supply chain and further driving up shipping costs and lead times, Fastmarkets has learned.

Electric vehicles (EVs) and batteries feature prominently in US President Joe Biden’s $2-trillion plan to rebuild the country's infrastructure and economy.

China-based nickel and stainless steel producer Tsingshan Holding Group will invest 10.3 billion yuan ($1.57 billion) to build a lithium-ion battery plant in the southern China province of Guangdong, it said on April 1.

Liberty Steel has resumed production at its UK special steel plant in Rotherham, the steelmaker said on Tuesday April 6.

London Metal Exchange futures prices for copper, nickel, zinc and tin started the week with gains on Tuesday April 6, following positive economic data released in the United States and China on Monday.

Fastmarkets is proposing amendments to the specifications of its weekly price assessment for steel billet, import, cfr China.

Following extensive market engagement, Fastmarkets will change specifications of its daily price assessment for steel billet, import, cfr Southeast Asia from Monday April 12.

Fastmarkets opened a consultation on January 29, 2020, inviting feedback on its iron ore index methodologies in line with our annual methodology review process.

Fastmarkets is proposing amendments to the specifications of its index for iron ore 65% Fe blast furnace pellet, cfr Qingdao, $/tonne (MBIOI-PT).

US President Joe Biden’s $2-trillion infrastructure and jobs package is being applauded by domestic steelmakers and the United Steelworkers union.