Data: SHFE, DCE market movement (May 18)

[SMM Steel] Vietnam’s VinMetal, a subsidiary of Vingroup, signed a strategic cooperation agreement with Primetals Technologies to develop a large-scale integrated steel complex in Ha Tinh province. The project, located in the Vung Ang Economic Zone, targets first-phase operations in 2027 and will produce both long and flat steel products using advanced low-emission and digitalized technologies. Primetals will support the entire production chain from ironmaking and steelmaking to rolling operations, while also assisting in technical integration, workforce training, maintenance, and digital transformation. VinMetal said the project aims to become one of Southeast Asia’s most modern steel complexes and meet international ESG standards.

[SMM Steel] Ukraine’s containerized ferrous metal shipments by rail reached 10,400 TEU in Q1 2026, down only 3% YoY, while exports accounted for 77% of total volumes. The share of western border crossings surged to 96% from 66% a year earlier, as drone attacks on Danube ports sharply disrupted southern export routes. Containerized steel exports via Danube ports fell 93% YoY to just 116 TEU in Q1. Mostyska II on the Poland border became the key logistics hub, handling 45% of total ferrous metal container traffic. Ferrous metals accounted for 15% of Ukrainian Railways’ total container shipments in Q1, second only to agricultural cargo.

[SMM Steel] Tata Steel reported consolidated net profit of INR29.26 billion ($304.9 million) in Q4 FY2025/26, more than double year on year but below analysts’ forecast of INR30.8 billion. Earnings were pressured by a 16.7% rise in material costs, 8% growth in total expenses to INR585.02 billion, and one-time restructuring costs at its Dutch unit. In India, Q4 crude steel production rose over 14% YoY to 6.22 million tonnes, while domestic shipments increased 10.5% YoY to 6.19 million tonnes. The company also continued expansion projects, including a 0.75-million-tonne EAF in Ludhiana and a 2.2-million-tonne CRM complex in Kalinganagar.