Import prices for Vietnamese A-53 electric resistance welded (ERW) black plain end (BPE) Grade A standard pipe have held steady in the past two weeks, at $39.50-$40.50 cwt. ($871-$893/mt or $790-$810/nt) DDP loaded truck in
US Gulf Coast ports, although mills continue to be open to negotiating deals with those interested in booking larger orders. Offshore import tonnages have been less than exciting for the past 12 months, and the most recent Steel Monitoring Import and Analysis (SIMA) data show most countries coming in at less than 6,000 mt during most of the 30-day reporting periods in 2012. That having been said, mills that are looking to pad their order books with American orders are open to negotiating on price.
Meanwhile, the most common spot price transaction range has also held in the approximate range of $45.00-$46.00 cwt. ($992-$1,014/mt or $900-$920/nt) ex-Midwest mill, reflecting no change in the past two weeks. Order activity and inquiries have ticked up slightly since the beginning of the year, although service center sources say it’s nothing to write home about.