Forecast: Steel prices may inch up this week amid growing impact from news front

Extreme drought has lowered river levels in East Kalimantan, disrupting transportation operations for some coal producers. Data from Indonesia’s meteorological agency showed that East Kalimantan received almost no rainfall in August. To prevent barges from running aground, local producers have been forced to reduce their coal loads. A local port official said that barges normally capable of carrying 7,000 tonnes of coal are currently limited to approximately 5,500 tonnes, representing a reduction of 1,500 tonnes, or about 21.4%, per trip. Some barges continue to face difficulties travelling upstream despite carrying reduced loads. The industry group noted that the decline in carrying capacity per trip will require more voyages and raise logistics costs.

Фьючерсы на железную руду сегодня торговались слабее. Наиболее активный контракт I2701 на DCE закрылся на уровне 714,0 юаня за тонну, снизившись на 1,11% по сравнению с предыдущим торговым днём.