Ukrainian sources report that the Ukrainian steel producer Ilyich Iron and Steel Works of Mariupol (Ilyich) halted its blast furnace (BF) No.4 due to a coke shortage during last week (ended September 16). In total, Ilyich's production facilities include five BFs.
As previously reported by SteelOrbis, the Ukrainian Coke Producers' Association (Ukrkoks) had warned about a possible shortage of coke supplies to domestic steel companies in September due to the announced plans of the state railway administration to cut imported coking coal supplies.