Japan Steels and Shipbuilders to Conclude F2009 Price Negotiations

Japanese integrated steel makers and domestic major shipbuilders are likely to conclude annual steel plate price negotiation for shipment in fiscal 2009 (Apr09-Mar10) soon. Some of them seem to reach agreements within August. There has been a wide price gap between steel makers’ offers and shipbuilders’ requests. However, at present, both steel makers and shipbuilders are seeking agreeable points to sustain Japanese shipbuilders’ international competitiveness, especially as of costs.

Steel plate price for Japanese shipbuilders have surged for 6 years in a row since fiscal 2003. In fiscal 2008, the price jumped by total 30,000 yen per year and approached 100,000 yen per tonne. However, in fiscal 2009, steel material prices are decreasing and plate supply became much easier than ever. Steel product prices are lowering. Plate price also turned downward.

Integrated steel makers showed stances to approve price cut by about 20,000 yen per tonne at the beginning of fiscal 2009. Shipbuilders requested more price cut to cancel the cost up in fiscal 2008. Price negotiations haven’t progressed. On the other hand, steel makers have widely lowered their plate price for export and offshore shipbuilders. Shipbuilders in South Korea and China seem to be purchasing steel plate at around US$ 600 per tonne.