Buying activity for seamless pipes has remained weak in the UAE over the past month amid adverse global market conditions, while local traders are careful about concluding purchases. Moreover, weaker oil prices have made investors cautious about opening new positions. During the past month, import offers of Ukrainian and Argentinian seamless pipes have have remained stable. In the given period, quotations of Chinese pipes have decreased by $20/mt, offers of Romanian materials have fallen by $20-30/mt, while quotations of German and Japanese seamless pipes have declined by $10-20/mt. Foreign suppliers of seamless pipes may seek to increase their quotations in the hope of sparking a revival in the market in spring. However, as demand has not yet recovered, it will not be easy to raise prices in the coming short-term period.
Most offers of seamless pipes of 2"-8" grade B made to ASTM/API from the majority of Chinese mills are being given to the local UAE market at $600-620/mt CFR.
Quotations of Ukrainian (Interpipe) seamless pipes, 2"-6" Sch 40 grade B made to ASTM/API, are at $940-970/mt CFR, while 8"-10" pipes are at $960-990/mt CFR.
Quotations from South Africa for seamless pipes of 2"-6" grade B made to ASTM/API are at about $980-1,030/mt CFR.
Seamless pipes from Romania (ArcelorMittal) of 3"-10" grade B made to ASTM are quoted at about $1,100-1,140/mt CFR.
Offers of Argentinian (Tenaris) seamless pipes of 2"-6" grade B made to ASTM A106/API 5L to the UAE are at $1,380-1,400/mt CFR.
Quotations from France and Germany (V&M) and from Japan (NSSMC) for seamless pipes of 2"-6" grade B made to ASTM/API are at about $1,280-1,300/mt CFR.