Ukrainian mining and steel producing group Metinvest has stated that its Mariupol-based subsidiaries Ilyich Iron and Steel Works of Mariupol (Ilyich) and Azovstal have employed temporary measures to receive raw materials and to transport finished products before the railway connection is restored between the enterprises and Mariupol Merchant Sea Port.
On December 23, a railway bridge over the Kalchik River was blown up near the 1,260 km distance marker, which was both an important avenue for the supply of raw materials to the plants in question and a key delivery route for their finished products to the port. As a result, Ilyich Iron & Steel Works of Mariupol and Azovstal had to reduce production volumes at their main shops.
The situation with Azovstal's coke and chemical production process was also difficult. Raw coal stocks in the plant's warehouses were sufficient just for five days of operations. In order to avoid a stoppage of the coke and chemical production process, coal is being delivered via large trucks and by sea directly to Azovstal's port. Ilyich Iron & Steel Works of Mariupol also faced difficulties with iron ore concentrate and sinter ore supplies. Both metallurgical plants are working to renew uninterrupted deliveries of finished products. Warehouses of slabs and rolled products may be fully used up within a week, leading to the risk of a full interruption in production.
To restore deliveries to Azovstal's metallurgical plant, about 20 percent of the raw material flow has been directed from Mariupol Merchant Sea Port to Azovstal's port. The production process at both enterprises is currently supported by using the residual stock of raw materials from warehouses.