The seamless pipe trade has weakened in the UAE amid slower construction during Ramadan and the summer season. However, some foreign suppliers have kept their prices unchanged from June levels, while others have raised their prices on the back of higher raw material costs and expectations of an upturn in buying after Ramadan. Prices of Chinese seamless pipes for the UAE have increased by around $30-50/mt over the past month. Offers of seamless pipes from Argentina, France and Germany have moved up by around $20-30/mt. At the same time, prices of pipes from South Africa, Ukraine and Romania have remained almost unchanged over the period under review. Meanwhile, market activity in the coming month is expected to remain quiet and no significant changes are foreseen before the end of Ramadan.
Offers of Chinese seamless pipes of 2"-8" grade B made to ASTM/API are being given to the local UAE market at $780-850/mt CFR.
Quotations of Ukrainian (Interpipe) seamless pipes, 2"-6" Sch 40 grade B made to ASTM/API, are at $1,080-1,100/mt CFR.
Seamless pipes from Romania (ArcelorMittal) of 3"-12" grade B made to ASTM are quoted at about $1,310-1,360/mt CFR Dubai.
South African (ArcelorMittal) seamless pipes, 3"-6" grade B made to ASTM/API, are being quoted to the UAE in the range of $1,070-1,100/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.
Quotations from France and Germany (V&M) and from Japan (NSSMC) for seamless pipes of 2"-6" grade B made to ASTM/API are at about $1,380-1,430/mt CFR.