Japan Steel Pipe Order Rises to Rebuild Quake Damage

Japanese construction steel pipe demand is increasing for recovery from damage by the major earthquake. The galvanized square pipe demand has been increasing for temporary housing. The welded pipe makers receive inquiries from the dealers for potential shipment of steel pipe used temporary in construction and sludge disposal pipe. The shipment is likely to significantly increase after the end of Japanese long holidays in early May. With the higher demand, the supply could get tight for some steel pipe items.

Some pipe dealers and users are aggressively increasing pipe purchase with expectation for higher price and tighter supply. The dealers’ pipe transaction is increasing mainly for spot deal. The pipe supply would temporarily get tight for temporary housing for disaster victims of the earthquake depending on the makers’ condition of materials procurement and production schedule.

The inquiries are increasing for galvanized square pipe with 1.6 millimeters thick, 50 by 50 mm width mainly for temporary housing. The tube makers and the dealers prepare for major order to ship in early May.

The galvanized pipe shipment is actually increasing for temporary enclosure for plant reconstruction. The pipe shipment is increase mainly for products with 2.3 mm thick and 48.6 mm diameter. Some dealers’ stock decreases for scaffolding pipe partly due to speculative purchase. The pipe makers expect their pipe shipment will increase mainly for thinner sized products when they get more soundings for sludge disposal pipe.