Business activity remains slack in the UAE market for seamless pipes, and overseas suppliers are mostly following a downward pricing policy. Prices of Chinese seamless pipes have decreased by $60-70/mt over the past month. Import offers of seamless pipes from Romania have moved down by $30-70/mt, while quotations of pipes from Argentina have gone down by $30/mt over the past month. Offers for seamless pipes from Italy have decreased by $30-70/mt, while prices of Japanese seamless pipes have gone down by $30-50/mt over the past month. Quotations of seamless pipes from Ukraine and South Africa have remained unchanged at previous levels.
However, demand from end-users in the UAE is declining ahead of winter, while most traders are refraining from signing new contracts as their inventories are at satisfactory levels. Market players expect this situation to continue until global economic sentiment improves. Seamless pipe prices are anticipated to remain stable in the coming month as the market is not ready for any hikes.
Most offers of Chinese seamless pipes of 2"-8" grade B made to ASTM/API are being given to the local UAE market at $770-840/mt CFR from small mills, while quotations of the same pipes from bigger producers are at around $950-1,000/mt CFR.
Quotations of Ukrainian (Interpipe) seamless pipes, 2"-12" Sch 40 grade B made to ASTM, are at $1,080-1,130/mt CFR.
Seamless pipes from Romania (ArcelorMittal) of 3"-10" grade B made to ASTM are quoted at about $1,350-1,400/mt CFR Dubai, while offers of 12"-14" pipes are being given at $1,380-1,450/mt CFR.
South African (ArcelorMittal) seamless pipes, 2"-6" grade B made to ASTM/API, are being quoted to the UAE in the range of $1,200-1,220/mt CFR.
Offers of seamless pipes from Argentina, 2"-6" grade B made to ASTM/API from Tenaris, are being given to the UAE at $1,500-1,550/mt CFR.
Offers of seamless pipes from Italy, 6"-10" Sch 40 grade B made to ASTM from Tenaris Dalmine, are being given to the UAE at $1,600-1,670/mt CFR, while 16" Sch 40 seamless pipes are being quoted to the UAE at about $1,790-1,800 /mt CFR.
Quotations from France and Germany (V&M) and from Japan (Sumitomo) for seamless pipes of 2"-6" grade B made to ASTM/API are at about $1,380-1,430/mt CFR.