The first ship carrying metallurgical coal from the U.S. for Metinvest arrives in Ukraine

This shipment will help ensure the stable operation of the Group’s Ukrainian steel mills following the suspension of operations at the Pokrovsk Coal Group. Going forward, Metinvest expects to receive one vessel per month with 80,000 tonnes of American coking coal, which will help meet part of the needs of Zaporizhstal and Kametstal.

"Despite the extremely difficult conditions in the Ukrainian steel industry due to the ongoing invasion, we have mobilized all available resources to keep the sector operating. The supply of American coal not only supports steel production at our plants in Kamianske and Zaporizhzhia, but also provides jobs for tens of thousands of employees and contractors, supports logistics, the railway system, tax revenues to Ukraine’s budget, and a significant portion of the country’s foreign currency export earnings. Although imported coking coal is more expensive than Ukrainian coal due to logistics, this is an important step in helping Ukraine’s economy," said Yuriy Ryzhenkov, CEO of Metinvest Group.

Metinvest suspended operations at the Pokrovsk Coal Group due to changes along the front line, electricity shortages, and deteriorating safety conditions for employees. Pokrovsk Coal Group is the only producer of coking coal in Ukraine, essential for the steel industry. It previously supplied a significant portion of Metinvest’s internal demand and also delivered substantial volumes to consumers both within Ukraine and abroad.

After halting operations at this asset, Metinvest switched to alternative sources of coking coal. These measures include using accumulated reserves, additional external supplies of coking coal and coke, as well as increasing shipments from UCC.

"Metallurgical coal production already plays a key role in supporting economic growth and infrastructure development in the United States itself. In light of recent events, Metinvest’s Ukrainian operations require stable and reliable supplies of coking coal to maintain uninterrupted steel production. We fully support Metinvest and are committed to contributing to Ukraine’s economic stability and resilience by ensuring regular coal deliveries, enabling continuous steel production in the country," said John Schroeder, CEO of United Coal Company.

United Coal Company is a producer of metallurgical coal operating in the Appalachian region of the United States. Founded in 2004, it was acquired by Metinvest Group in April 2009.