Activity in the seamless pipe market in the UAE still remains sluggish. Some foreign suppliers of seamless pipes have cut their offers for Emirati buyers amid insufficient demand to support high-priced offers and also given the aggressive pricing policy of Chinese suppliers. Quotations of Chinese seamless pipes for Emirati buyers have declined by a maximum of $30/mt over the past month. Quotations of Japanese and German pipes have decreased by $30-50/mt in the same period, while import offers of Romanian pipes for the UAE have gone down by $40-50/mt. Prices of Ukrainian, Argentinian and South African material have remained unchanged during the given period. However, the future market outlook appears positive amid the expected rebound of buying activity in the market after the season for the pilgrimage to Mecca which will start in early October.
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 $650-700/mt CFR.
Quotations of Ukrainian (Interpipe) seamless pipes, 2"-6" Sch 40 grade B made to ASTM/API, are at $1,050-1,075/mt CFR, while 8"-10" pipes are at $1,065-1,095/mt CFR.
Seamless pipes from Romania (ArcelorMittal) of 3"-10" grade B made to ASTM are quoted at about $1,270-1,300/mt CFR.
South African (ArcelorMittal) seamless pipes, 3"-6" grade B made to ASTM/API, are being quoted to the UAE in the range of $1,050-1,090/mt CFR.
Offers of Argentinian (Tenaris) seamless pipes of 2"-6" grade B made to ASTM A106/API 5L to the UAE are at $1,450-1,500/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 $1,300-1,370/mt CFR.