Steel Mills

Canadian Service Center Shipments Up in August

Written by Brett Linton

September 19, 2017

Steel shipments by Canadian service centers in August totaled 387,500 net tons, up 11.8 percent from the previous month, and up 6.2 percent from August 2016, reports the Metals Service Center Institute (MSCI). On a daily basis, total shipments were 17,600 tons per day in August (a 22-day month), up from 17,300 tons per day in July (a 20-day month), and up compared to a year ago when they were 16,600 tons per day (a 22-day month). Total steel inventories at the end of the month were 1,182,800 tons, up 0.8 percent from last month and up 2.9 percent from this time last year.

The daily average receipt rate for August was 18,023 tons per day, down from 19,085 in July. Total August steel receipts were 396,500 tons, up 14,800 tons over July. According to MSCI, total steel product inventories stood at 3.1 months at the end of August, down from 3.4 months the month before.

Flat Rolled

Canadian shipments of flat rolled products in August totaled 204,600 tons, up 13.0 percent from July, but down 3.6 percent over the same month one year ago. Daily shipments increased from 9,000 tons per day in July to 9,300 in August, but were down compared to one year ago when they were 9,600 tons per day. Inventories at the end of the month were 685,000 tons, down 0.3 percent from last month, but up 4.9 percent from the same month one year ago. The daily receipt rate for August was 9,214 tons per day, down from 9,760 tons per day in July. Total tonnage received was 202,700 tons, up from 195,200 tons the month before. Flat rolled inventories stood at 3.3 months in August, down from 3.8 months of supply in July.

Plate

Canadian shipments of plate products in August were 72,100 tons, an increase of 5.9 percent from the previous month, and an increase of 32.9 percent from August 2016. Daily shipments decreased from 3,400 tons per day in July to 3,300 tons per day in August. Inventories at the end of August were 175,300 tons, down 1.1 percent from the prior month, and down 17.7 percent from the same month one year ago. The daily average receipt rate for August was 3,191 tons per day, down from 3,910 tons per day the month before. Plate inventories ended the month at 2.4 months, down from 2.6 months the month before.

Pipe and Tube

Canadian shipments of pipe and tube products in August were 53,700 tons, an increase of 18.5 percent from the month before, and an increase of 17.5 percent from the same month last year. Daily shipments rose from 2,300 tons in July to 2,400 tons per day in August. Inventories at the end of the month were 128,400 tons, up 3.2 percent from last month and up 0.3 percent from the same month one year ago. The daily average receipt rate for August was 2,623 tons per day, up from 2,395 tons per day the month before. Total months on hand for pipe and tube inventories stood at 2.4 months, down from 2.7 months in July.

Brett Linton

Brett Linton is a senior analyst for Steel Market Update, where he began his career. Linton has been in the steel industry since 2010. He has held roles as a category manager and strategic insights director at Reibus before returning to SMU in 2024. He is a graduate of The University of North Georgia with a degree in Finance and Accounting. Brett can be reached at brett@steelmarketupdate.com or 724-314-0179.

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