Steel Mills

Canadian Service Center Shipments, Inventories in September

Written by Brett Linton

October 17, 2017

Steel shipments by Canadian service centers in September totaled 356,600 net tons, down 8.0 percent from the previous month, and down 3.8 percent from September 2016, reports the Metals Service Center Institute (MSCI). On a daily basis, total shipments were 17,800 tons per day in September (a 20-day month), up from 17,600 tons per day in August (a 22-day month), and up compared to a year ago when they were 17,700 tons per day (a 21-day month). Total steel inventories at the end of the month were 1,163,200 tons, down 1.7 percent from last month, but up 4.2 percent from this time last year.

The daily average receipt rate for September was 16,850 tons per day, down from 18,023 in August. Total September steel receipts were 337,000 tons, down 59,500 tons over August. According to MSCI, total steel product inventories stood at 3.3 months at the end of September, up from 3.1 months the month before.

Flat Rolled

Canadian shipments of flat rolled products in September totaled 178,100 tons, down 13.0 percent from August, and down 12.6 percent over the same month one year ago. Daily shipments decreased from 9,300 tons per day in August to 8,900 in September, and were down compared to one year ago when they were 9,700 tons per day. Inventories at the end of the month were 664,400 tons, down 3.0 percent from last month, but up 4.0 percent from the same month one year ago. The daily receipt rate for September was 7,875 tons per day, down from 9,214 tons per day in August. Total tonnage received was 157,500 tons, down from 202,700 tons the month before. Flat rolled inventories stood at 3.7 months in September, up from 3.3 months of supply in August.

Plate

Canadian shipments of plate products in September were 70,200 tons, a decrease of 2.6 percent from the previous month, but an increase of 6.4 percent from September 2016. Daily shipments increased from 3,300 tons per day in August to 3,500 tons per day in September. Inventories at the end of September were 171,700 tons, down 2.1 percent from the prior month, and down 14.4 percent from the same month one year ago. The daily average receipt rate for September was 3,330 tons per day, up from 3,191 tons per day the month before. Plate inventories ended the month at 2.4 months, unchanged from the month before.

Pipe and Tube

Canadian shipments of pipe and tube products in September were 50,800 tons, a decrease of 5.4 percent from the month before, but an increase of 3.4 percent from the same month last year. Daily shipments rose from 2,400 tons in August to 2,500 tons per day in September. Inventories at the end of the month were 134,400 tons, up 4.7 percent from last month and up 8.4 percent from the same month one year ago. The daily average receipt rate for September was 2,840 tons per day, up from 2,623 tons per day the month before. Total months on hand for pipe and tube inventories stood at 2.6 months, up from 2.4 months in August.

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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