[2001 ZTS]

US Steel has also idled there Lorain Ohio plant (~600 people). ArcellorMiltal is laying off its Cleveland plant (~1000 people). ArcellorMittal is also the parent of Dofasco in Hamilton the past few years and that location remains open so it goes both ways across the border.

As big as we in North America think these places are Hamilton, Nanticoke and all the entire US rust belt are very minor parts. Production efficiency is one thing but scale is another and then there is the overhead that comes with North American labour. Not saying its a bad thing because the rest of the world should "catch up" but they haven't, probably won't and it is such a huge factor.

Related to the theme of the thread I will be running three less ships than last year, 16 instead of 19, since we carry the iron ore and coal to these places. Good thing is that people still need to eat grain, burn coal for electricity, put salt on roads and make concrete. We thankfully have a pretty diverse customer base so aren't tied to these ups and downs as much as some other companies but even we are calling for a slow year and a 35% drop in movements.