Germany-based steelmaker Salzgitter Group has announced that EUROPIPE, its 50/50 joint venture with AG der Dillinger Huttenwerke, has received an instruction from Amsterdam-based South Stream Transport B.V. to halt the production of steel tubes for the South Stream pipeline until January 1, 2015.
"This does not, however, mark the end to the pipeline project. Instead, further information is to be given to the company by the South Stream consortium over the period through to the expiry of this date," the Salzgitter statement said.
Until suspension by the consortium, the production and processing for the pipeline project had proceeded according to plan. Salzgitter stated that the standstill customary for the public holidays over Christmas had in any case been factored into the plans.