Turkish producers’ offer range for ERW pipes and hollow sections with 2-4 mm wall thickness made from hot rolled coil (HRC) of S235 grade as per EN 10219 to their export markets has decreased by an average of $15/mt week on week to $610-630/mt FOB. The regular welded pipe sales of Turkish mills have continued, while they have maintained their price advantage in the international markets, which has caused price inquiries for Turkish welded pipe to accelerate in the current week.
According to market sources, one of the biggest problems experienced while exporting welded pipe to Europe is currently logistics. Due to the dry season, water levels in the Rhine and Danube rivers have declined to their lowest in the past 15 years, obstructing transportation by river. Meanwhile, suppliers turning to road transport are observed to be facing busy schedules and higher costs. This problem is expected to cease after transportation on rivers starts to return to normal levels, allowing logistic activities to resume their usual course.