The seamless pipe market in the UAE has been indicating a downtrend in prices during the past month against a background of poor demand and low transaction volumes. Within the past month, quotations of Chinese pipes have decreased by $20/mt, prices for Ukrainian material have declined by $25-30/mt and quotations of Romanian seamless pipes have dropped by $30/mt. Traders believe buying activity in the UAE is unlikely to increase significantly in August because of the seasonal slump in demand and that import quotations of seamless pipes may move sideways.
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 $520-550/mt CFR, while offers from large mills can reach $700/mt CFR.
Quotations of Ukrainian seamless pipes, 2"-6" Sch 40 grade B made to ASTM/API, are at $815-840/mt CFR, while 8"-10" pipes are at $840-870/mt CFR.
Seamless pipes from Romania (ArcelorMittal) of 3"-10" grade B made to ASTM/API are quoted at about $1,050-1,070/mt CFR.
Quotations from Germany and France (V&M) for seamless pipes of 2"-6" grade B made to ASTM/API are at about $1,060-1,100/mt CFR.
Offers of seamless pipes from Italy (Tenaris Dalmine) of grade B made to ASTM/API are being given to the UAE at $1,250-1,300/mt CFR.