Demand for seamless pipes from end-users is still low in the UAE market, while most well-stocked local traders are delaying their purchases. Some foreign suppliers of seamless pipes have continued to cut their offers for Emirati buyers in line with low prices heard from China and in line with decreasing raw material costs. Quotations of Chinese seamless pipes for Emirati buyers have declined by $30-50/mt over the past month. Quotations of Ukrainian pipes have decreased by $15-30/mt in the same period, while import offers of Argentinian pipes for the UAE have gone down by $20/mt. Prices of Romanian, South African and Japanese material have remained unchanged during the given period. The market situation is unlikely to change anytime soon as UAE traders usually seek to get rid of stocks by the end of the calendar year.
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 $620-650/mt CFR.
Quotations of Ukrainian (Interpipe) seamless pipes, 2"-6" Sch 40 grade B made to ASTM/API, are at $1,020-1,060/mt CFR, while 8"-10" pipes are at $1,050-1,080/mt CFR.
Seamless pipes from Romania (ArcelorMittal) of 3"-10" grade B made to ASTM are quoted at about $1,270-1,300/mt CFR.
South African (ArcelorMittal) seamless pipes, 3"-6" grade B made to ASTM/API, are being quoted to the UAE in the range of $1,050-1,100/mt CFR.
Offers of Argentinian (Tenaris) seamless pipes of 2"-6" grade B made to ASTM A106/API 5L to the UAE are at $1,430-1,480/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 $1,300-1,370/mt CFR.