The China Iron Ore Price Index (CIOPI) dropped slightly at the end of March from the previous month due to the decline in steel output, according to the China Iron and Steel Association (CISA).

The Ukrainian government passed a resolution imposing a 65 percent duty on imported Russian coal with some exceptions starting from April 15.

China is capable of navigating its economy amid the COVID-19 fallout, and opportunities for the world's largest developing economy are promising in the long run despite virus-prompted challenges, economists and market strategists have said.

On average, 11.16 million tons of freight were carried by railway per day in March, its high level since February, which stayed flat from the previous year.

Japanese crude steel output is forecast to tumble in the April-June quarter because of a sharp fall in manufacturing demand for steel products affected by the Covid-19 pandemic.

While a SAIL official confirmed reducing output by about 50 per cent over phone, an e-mail query sent to Tata Steel remained unanswered.

JSW Steel Crude Steel Production in 2019-20 Declines by 4%.

Argus reported that ArcelorMittal USA is expected to idle a blast furnace at its Cleveland flat-rolled steel mill as coronavirus-related shutdowns continue to ripple across the steel industry.