Steel import permit applications reached a total of 2,323,000 net tons for the month of July, according to the latest report from the American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI). The July total represents a 15% increase from the 2,023,000 permit tons recorded in June and a 17% increase from the June preliminary imports total of 1,981,000 net tons.
The report, which is based on the Commerce Department’s most recent Steel Import Monitoring and Analysis (SIMA) data, shows that the July total included finished steel import permit tonnage of 1,753,000 net tons, up 14% from the preliminary imports total of 1,543,000 net tons in June.
July total steel import permit tons would annualize at 23,960,000 net tons, up 48% from the 16,215,000 net tons imported in 2009. July finished steel import permit tons would annualize at 18,722,000 net tons, up 32% from the 14,179,000 net tons imported in 2009.
Finished steel import permits for major product categories that registered significant increases in July vs. the June preliminary include
· Standard rails, up 816%
· Line pipe, up 62%
· Plates in coils, up 46%
· Oil country goods, up 24%
· Cut-length plates, up 23%
In July, the largest finished steel import permit applications for offshore countries were for Korea (198,000 net tons, up 30% from June), India (146,000 net tons, up 182%), Japan (127,000 net tons, up 79%), China (96,000 net tons, up 22%) and Germany (85,000 net tons, up 41%). Finished steel import market share in July and year-to-date is at 21 and 20%, respectively.
“Our main concerns about the July numbers are the continuing high import market share overall and the spike in imports from China,” said AISI President and CEO Thomas J. Gibson, commenting on the July SIMA data. “With domestic steel capacity utilization year-to-date still at only 70% and with a slowing and uncertain economic recovery, the focus must remain on full and strict trade law enforcement against 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. The Institute comprises 23 member companies, including integrated and electric furnace steelmakers, and 138 associate and affiliate members who are suppliers to or customers of the steel industry.