Import pipe still on the downswing

Import pipe still on the downswing

Indian and South American pipe offers are now ranging from $620.00 /mt to $640.00 /mt ($562.45 /nt to $580.60 /nt or $28.12 cwt. to $29.03 cwt.) CFR FO at US Gulf ports. Threaded and coupled pipe carries an extra of $40.00 /mt ($36.29 /nt or $1.81 cwt.) and galvanized carries an extra $110.00 /mt ($99.79 /nt or $4.99 cwt.). The pricing trend for Indian and South American pipe is slightly down, as the world market is still quite weak for pipe. As for Chinese pipe, the decision in January regarding the Section 421 safeguard against Chinese products will help determine the strength of Chinese pipe imports in the US.