ArcelorMittal USA plans to reduce its production and may stop taking further orders for April delivery due to breakdown of machinery. Therefore, US domestic market will face price hike for steel sheet due to supply shortage.

ArcelorMittal’s hot-rolled facility has been damaged last month in its Indiana harbor plant as well as the breakdown for No.5 furnace in Cleveland plant. The expected recovery time is 2 months.

Several main US steelmakers have announced the price of local steel sheet will be boosted by US$30/ton for Jan-Feb delivery and by US$50-80/ton for March delivery.