India’s Steel Sector Faces Energy Shock as West Asia Conflict Rises Freight Costs
The war in West Asia has pushed freight rates for coking coal and iron ore from $9.80 to $12.20 per tonne, inflating Indian steelmakers’ input costs. Because India still depends on imported fuel, LNG, and raw metals, the disruption lays bare a deeper energy‑security flaw in the sector. The report urges a shift from growth‑only policies to robust energy sourcing.