Steel import applications totaled 1,252,000 net tons for the month of September according to the latest report from the American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI).
The AISI report, which is based on the Commerce Department’s most recent Steel Import Monitoring and Analysis (SIMA) data, shows that the September total represents a 26% increase from the 997,000 permit tons recorded in August 2009 and a 47% increase from the August preliminary imports total of 855,000 net tons.
The report also shows the September import permit total included 1,024,000 net tons of finished steel, an increase of 30% from the preliminary imports total of 786,000 net tons in August.
September 2009 total import permit tons would annualize at 15,629,000 net tons, down 51% from the 31,927,000 net tons imported in 2008. Finished steel import permit tons would annualize at 14,344,000 net tons, down 45% from the 25,956,000 net tons imported in 2008
In September 2009, the largest finished steel import permit applications for offshore countries were for Korea (64,000 net tons, down 24% from August), The Netherlands (51,000 net tons, up 89%), Japan (45,000 net tons, up 63%) and China (44,000 net tons, up 45%). Finished steel import market share in September is estimated at 16% and at 23% year-to-date (YTD).
Finished steel import permits for products that registered increases in September vs. the August preliminary include
- Line pipe, +93%
- Oil country goods, +81%
- Cut-length plates, +79%
- Heavy structural shapes, +68%
- Hot dipped galvanized sheets, +49%
- Hot rolled sheets, +34%
“The September import surge is of serious concern,” said AISI President and CEO Thomas J. Gibson. “Once again, we see a significant increase in imports threatening important product markets, including, as the data indicate, line pipe, oil country goods and heavy structural shapes, among others. Year-to-date import market share at 23% remains a problem, when the domestic steel industry is still operating at around 60% and the construction market is sluggish, at best.
“It will take a long time for the U.S. economy and the steel market to recover,” added Gibson. “Given this fact, there must be zero tolerance for dumped and subsidized imports.”
AISI serves as the voice of the North American steel industry in the public policy arena and advances the case for steel in the marketplace as the preferred material of choice. AISI also plays a lead role in the development and application of new steels and steelmaking technology. AISI is comprised of 24 member companies, including integrated and electric furnace steelmakers, and 138 associate and affiliate members who are suppliers to or customers of the steel industry.