The damage to Houston-based service centers following Hurricane Harvey is still being evaluated, sources say, although one Houston-area company that provides coating services to the US pipe industry said at least 25 stock yards were seriously flooded.
The overall impact of the storm and the total losses are still being evaluated. Vessel movement into the Houston-Galveston port was restricted for most of the week. Post-storm assessments indicated severe hazards on the Upper Houston Ship Channel. Overall damage to imported steel that has not yet been unloaded is still unknown.
At current, the impact of the storm to US domestic and import spot market prices is also still being evaluated; however, it’s believed that the overall losses to inventory may push prices upward.
In terms of pricing, US domestic API-X52 line pipe is still being heard at $54-$55 cwt. ($1191-$1213/mt or $1080-$1100/nt), FOB Houston.
Prices for US import API-X52 ERW line pipe from Mexico is still being heard at $46.50-$47.50 cwt. ($1025-$1047/mt or $930-$950/nt), FOB Houston.
Lastly, prices or US import API-X52 ERW line pipe from Korea are also being heard at approximately $47.50 cwt. ($1047-$950/nt), DDP loaded truck in US Gulf coast ports.