The restart of production at Liberty Galați is delayed due to rising energy prices and the falling level of the Danube

The restart of the rolling mills at the Liberty Galați steelworks, scheduled for July 22, 2026, had still not taken place by September 9, while employees had not received their full salary entitlements for more than three months. The delay has been attributed to rising electricity prices, transport problems on the Danube and low steel prices on the market.

Tolling contracts signed in July for the production of heavy plate, hot-rolled coils and organically coated sheet should have brought several hundred employees back to work. The Hot Strip Mill requires at least six weeks of preparations, while the Heavy Plate Mill requires between two and four weeks. According to steelworkers, preliminary work has not begun, and no sheet has been produced by the rolling mills.

The court-appointed administrator of the steelworks says energy costs have increased by approximately 50%, while supplies are being affected by low Danube water levels and a shortage of rail freight wagons. Approximately 2,000 employees remain at the site, and the latest payments they received represented only part of their salary for May. Meal vouchers and other entitlements have been outstanding since August 2025.

The tolling arrangements were supposed to temporarily cover part of the outstanding salary debts until the steelworks was sold. Two auctions, with starting prices of €709 million and €463 million, failed. Five companies have expressed interest in taking over Liberty Galați, but the minimum value and timetable for the sale have not yet been established。