The UAE market for seamless pipes is still characterized by lackluster activity. End-user demand remains subdued, while traders are generally passive, buying material only to cover immediate needs and continuing to insist on additional price cuts. Prices of Chinese seamless pipes for the UAE have decreased by around $50/mt over the past month. Quotations of seamless pipes from Romania have gone down by $20-30/mt, while offers of pipes from Argentina, Japan and Germany have declined by $20-50/mt. Prices of pipes from South Africa have remained almost unchanged over the period under review. At the same time, offers of seamless pipes from Ukraine have moved up by around $15-25/mt on the back of higher production costs. Market operators believe the market picture in the UAE is unlikely to improve soon due to the seasonal lull in summer and the approach of the month 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 $800-850/mt CFR.
Quotations of Ukrainian (Interpipe) seamless pipes, 2"-10" Sch 40 grade B made to ASTM/API, are at $1,100-1,150/mt CFR.
Seamless pipes from Romania (ArcelorMittal) of 3"-12" grade B made to ASTM are quoted at about $1,280-1,320/mt CFR Dubai, while offers of 16" pipes are being given at $1,440-1,450/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 $1,070-1,100/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 $1,480-1,530/mt CFR.
Quotations from France and Germany (V&M) and from Japan (Sumitomo) for seamless pipes of 2"-6" grade B made to ASTM/API are at about $1,350-1,400/mt CFR.