Japan Import Flat Steel Stock Decreases by 9.4% in March

Hanwa Co. announced on Friday Japanese quay stocks of imported flat steel decreased by 20,000 tonnes or 9.4% to 192,000 tonnes at the end of March from a month ago when new import arrivals were lower. The quay stocks decreased by 102,000 tonnes or 34.6% compared with a year earlier.The quay inventory increased by 20,000 tonnes or 14.2% to 120,000 tonnes in Osaka at the end of March from a month ago. Steel plate increased by 1,000 tonnes or 6.6% to 16,000 tonnes while hot coil decreased by 2,000 tonnes or 6.2% to 30,000 tonnes. Cold rolled coil decreased by 19,000 tonnes or 20.4% to 74,000 tonnes.The quay inventory kept flat at 72,000 tonnes in Tokyo at the end of March from a month ago. Steel plate increased by 1,000 tonnes or 12.5% to 9,000 tonnes and hot coil by 3,000 tonnes or 9.6% to 34,000 tonnes. Cold coil stock decreased by 4,000 tonnes or 12.1% to 29,000 tonnes.Importer source said the inventory would keep low level with fewer import arrivals due to international tight supply.