The most recent data from the US Department of Commerce shows that US import line pipe tonnages have spiked year-over-year.
In September, the US imported 250,803 mt (census data) of line pipe from global sources, compared to 59,582 mt during September 2016. In October, license data indicates the US imported 159,644 mt of line pipe from global sources, compared to 89,091 mt (census data) during the same reporting period in 2016.
The most significant offshore importers during September were Korea and India, at 78,286 mt and 65,216 mt, respectively; in September 2016, the most significant offshore sources of US import line pipe were also Korea and India, at 19,330 mt and 11,693 mt, respectively.
Sources close to SteelOrbis say that upticks in oil prices and drilling projects, along with the failure of the US to pursue Section 232 tariffs against steel imports, have contributed to increased import arrivals.
Meanwhile, current import pricing has once again remained lateral.
Pricing for US import API X-52 ERW line pipe from Korea in the US is still trending at $42.50-$43.50 cwt. ($937-$959/mt or $850-$870/nt), DDP loaded truck in US Gulf ports, while the most commonly heard price range for US import API-X52 ERW line pipe from Mexico has also remained steady, at $46.50-$47.50 cwt. ($1025-$1047/mt or $930-$950/nt), FOB Houston.