Offshore offer prices for A-53 electric resistance welded (ERW) black plain end (BPE) Grade A standard pipe have shown increased flexibility in the past two weeks, with Vietnamese offers decreasing by approximately $2.50 cwt. ($55/mt or $50/nt) for larger orders. Today, Vietnamese prices are trending more in the range of $37.50-$38.50 cwt. ($827-$849/mt or $750-$770/nt) DDP loaded truck in
US Gulf Coast ports, and Taiwanese offers are coming in approximately $0.50 cwt. ($11/mt or $10/nt) below that range. Trader sources say quite a few bookings were made within this range within the past month, so for now, most are holding off on booking additional tons.
Meanwhile, order activity and inquiries within the
US domestic market continue to trickle along at their previous pace, although service centers and distributors say attempts to firm prices have been fruitless. Although an official price increase announcement for A-53 ERW BPE Grade A standard pipe has not been announced, many are hopeful that if prices for HRC begin to show signs of firming, they may get their wish. For now, the most commonly reported ex-mill spot price change has remained at approximately $45.00-$46.00 cwt. ($992-$1,014/mt or $900-$920/nt), reflecting no change in the past two weeks.