Buying sentiment is still weak in the UAE seamless pipe segment. Nevertheless, some foreign suppliers have continued to raise their offers due to higher production and transportation costs. Chinese suppliers have increased their seamless pipe prices for the UAE by $20-30/mt over the past month. In the same period, offers of Ukrainian, Romanian, South African and Argentinian pipes have remained almost unchanged. Quotations of Italian seamless pipes have increased by a maximum of $30/mt, while offers of Japanese pipes have moved up by a maximum of $20/mt over the period under review. However, buyers are hesitating to purchase material taking into account the ongoing weakness of consumer demand. Meanwhile, the seamless pipe market in the UAE may see a revival of business activity in the second quarter amid the resumption of work on oil and gas projects.
Offers of Chinese seamless pipes of 2"-12" grade B made to ASTM/API are being given to the local UAE market at $900-950/mt CFR.
Quotations of Ukrainian (Interpipe) seamless pipes, 2"-12" grade B made to ASTM/API, are at $1,150-1,200/mt CFR.
Seamless pipes from Romania (ArcelorMittal) of 10"-14" grade B made to ASTM/API are quoted at about $1,380-1,450/mt CFR Dubai, while offers of 16" pipes are being given at $1,545-1,550/mt CFR.
South African (ArcelorMittal) seamless pipes, 2"-6" grade B made to ASTM/API, are being quoted to the UAE in the range of $1,375-1,400/mt CFR.
Offers of seamless pipes from Argentina, 12"-14" grade B made to ASTM/API from Tenaris, are being given to the UAE at $1,830-1,870/mt CFR.
Offers of seamless pipes from Italy, 3"-10" grade B made to ASTM from Tenaris Dalmine, are being given to the UAE at $1,760-1,980/mt CFR.
Quotations of seamless pipes from France and Germany (V&M) and from Japan (Sumitomo) for 2"-10" grade B made to ASTM/API are at about $1,750-1,800/mt CFR.