Activity in the seamless pipe import market in the UAE has remained slow over the past month as buyers are holding back from new purchases before the start of Ramadan and the summer holidays. Within the past month, quotations of Chinese pipes have decreased by $5-10/mt, prices for Ukrainian material have declined by a maximum of $10/mt and quotations of German and Japanese seamless pipes have moved down by $25-40/mt. Offers of Romanian materials have increased by a maximum of $30/mt in the same period. Buying activity in the UAE seamless pipe market is expected to remain on the slow side during the month of Ramadan.
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 $530-580/mt CFR.
Quotations of Ukrainian (Interpipe) seamless pipes, 2"-6" Sch 40 grade B made to ASTM/API, are at $890-920/mt CFR, while 8"-12" pipes are at $910-950/mt CFR.
Seamless pipes from Romania (ArcelorMittal) of 3"-10" grade B made to ASTM/API are quoted at about $1,080-1,130/mt CFR.