In March this year, South Korea imported 438,900 mt of thick steel plate, recording the highest level since March 2009.
In the month in question, ex-China thick steel plate imports to South Korea reached 240,000 mt, an increase of 100,000 mt month on month, also registering the highest level since March 2009. Meanwhile, Japan shipped 189,000 mt of thick steel plate to South Korea in March, the highest volume from Japan since December 2009.
In March this year, Chinese thick plate offers for South Korea stood at an average of $745/mt, while average Japanese offers were at $877/mt.