The UAE market for seamless pipes is experiencing only moderate business activity. Local traders are not greatly interested in purchases of seamless pipe given the minimal activity of end-users and high stocks. Nevertheless, during the past month seamless pipe offers have mainly remained stable. Besides, import offers are mainly nominal due to the Christmas and New Year holidays. However, foreign suppliers will likely push up their seamless pipe prices from February on the back of an anticipated improvement in buying activity and rising production costs.
Offers of Chinese seamless pipes of 2"-8" grade B made to ASTM/API are being given to the local UAE market at $950-1,000/mt CFR.
Quotations of Ukrainian (Interpipe) seamless pipes, 2"-8" grade B made to ASTM, are at $1,050-1,100/mt CFR for January production. Offers of similar seamless pipes with 2"-8" diameter from Russia are being given to the UAE at around $1,050-1,150/mt CFR for January-February production.
Seamless pipes from Romania (ArcelorMittal) of 3"-10" grade B made to ASTM are quoted at about $1,400-1,420/mt CFR Dubai, while offers from South Africa (ArcelorMittal) are being given at $1,320-1,350/mt CFR.
Offers of seamless pipes from Italy, 16" grade B made to ASTM from Tenaris, are being given to the UAE at $1,900-1,950/mt CFR.
Quotations of seamless pipes from France and Germany (V&M) and from Japan (Sumitomo) for 2"-6" grade B made to ASTM/API are at about $1,550-1,600/mt CFR.