Pricing, order activity and inquiries within the US import line pipe market have remained stable week-over-week, with pricing for API X-52 ERW line pipe in the US domestic market from Korea still holding at $42.50-$43.50 cwt. ($937-$959/mt or $850-$870/nt), DDP loaded truck in US Gulf coast ports.
Pricing from Mexican mills continues to be “all over the map,” sources say, depending on the originating mill. As such, Mexican import line pipe offers are spanning between $50-$54 cwt. ($1102-$1191/mt or $1000-$1080/nt), FOB Houston.
Multiple SteelOrbis sources continue to report being “unusually busy,” adding that the year-end holiday break will be welcome.
Buyers also say they’re continuing to keep tabs on a key report within the Section 232 investigation, which is due in mid-January. Earlier this week, SteelOrbis reported that remedy exclusions are being considered for several countries, including Mexico, Canada, Japan and South Korea. “As far as steel pipe is concerned, this would be significant if those countries are excluded,” a source said.
Current import tonnages from the above stated countries are listed in the chart below:
Country |
October line pipe imports (census data) |
November line pipe imports (license data) |
|
|
|
Mexico |
17,597 mt |
18,796 mt |
Canada |
11,421 mt |
12,525 mt |
Japan |
1,170 mt |
6,452 mt |
South Korea |
83,618 mt |
42,707 mt |