Steel import permit applications reached 1,386,000 net tons for the month of November 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 November total reflects an 11% decrease from both the 1,561,000 permit tons recorded in October 2009 and the October preliminary imports total of 1,560,000 net tons.
The report also shows that November’s import permit tonnage included 957,000 net tons of finished steel, a 19% decrease from the October preliminary imports total of 1,177,000 net tons.
November 2009 total steel import permit tons would annualize at 16,089,000 net tons, down 50% from the 31,927,000 net tons imported in 2008. Finished steel import permit tons through November 2009 would annualize at 14,102,000 net tons, down 46% from the 25,956,000 net t imported in 2008.
In November, the largest finished steel import permit applications for offshore countries were for Korea (101,000 net tons, down 1% from October), The Netherlands (70,000 net tons, up 11%), China (61,000 net tons, up 24%), Japan (54,000 net tons, down 40%), and Italy (54,000 net tons, up 14%). Finished steel import market share in November is estimated at 15%, and at 21% for the year-to-date.
While finished steel import permits in November were down overall, six finished product categories registered an increase.
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. The Institute comprises 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.