Demand in the UAE market for seamless pipes is sluggish in view of sufficient stocks in the country, the approaching winter season and the global downward trend. Import seamless pipe prices have softened in the UAE over the past month. Quotations of Chinese seamless pipes for Emirati buyers have declined by a maximum of $10/mt over the past month. Quotations of Ukrainian pipes have decreased by $30-40/mt in the same period, while import offers of Argentinian and Romanian pipes for the UAE have gone down by $30/mt. Prices of German and Japanese material have declined by a maximum of $20/mt during the given period. Players believe the market situation will not change in the coming short-term period, with consumption expected to remain low.
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 $620-640/mt CFR.
Quotations of Ukrainian (Interpipe) seamless pipes, 2"-6" Sch 40 grade B made to ASTM/API, are at $980-1,030/mt CFR, while 8"-10" pipes are at $1,000-1,050/mt CFR.
Seamless pipes from Romania (ArcelorMittal) of 3"-10" grade B made to ASTM are quoted at about $1,240-1,270/mt CFR.
Offers of Argentinian (Tenaris) seamless pipes of 2"-6" grade B made to ASTM A106/API 5L to the UAE are at $1,400-1,450/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 $1,300-1,350/mt CFR.