Steel Mills

Canadian Service Center Shipments, Inventories in November

Written by Brett Linton

December 17, 2017

Steel shipments by Canadian service centers in November totaled 398,900 net tons, up 1.8 percent from the previous month, and up 0.2 percent from November 2016, reports the Metals Service Center Institute (MSCI). On a daily basis, total shipments were 19,000 tons per day in November (a 21-day month), up from 18,700 tons per day in October (a 21-day month), and unchanged compared to a year ago when they were also 19,000 tons per day (a 21-day month). Total steel inventories at the end of the month were 1,134,500 tons, down 3.1 percent from last month, but up 4.3 percent from this time last year.

The daily average receipt rate for November was 17,286 tons per day, down from 18,995 in October. Total November steel receipts were 363,000 tons, down 35,900 tons over October. According to MSCI, total steel product inventories stood at 2.8 months at the end of November, down from 3.0 months the month before.

Flat Rolled

Canadian shipments of flat rolled products in November totaled 208,200 tons, up 2.0 percent from October, but down 4.1 percent over the same month one year ago. Daily shipments increased from 9,700 tons per day in October to 9,900 in November, but were down compared to one year ago when they were 10,300 tons per day. Inventories at the end of the month were 634,200 tons, down 4.2 percent from last month, but up 0.1 percent from the same month one year ago. The daily receipt rate for November was 8,595 tons per day, down from 9,605 tons per day in October. Total tonnage received was 180,500 tons, down from 201,700 tons the month before. Flat rolled inventories stood at 3.0 months in November, down from 3.2 months of supply in October.

Plate

Canadian shipments of plate products in November were 76,000 tons, an increase of 6.1 percent from the previous month, and an increase of 14.5 percent from November 2016. Daily shipments increased from 3,400 tons per day in October to 3,600 tons per day in November. Inventories at the end of November were 170,700 tons, down 2.6 percent from the prior month, and down 8.9 percent from the same month one year ago. The daily average receipt rate for November was 3,400 tons per day, down from 3,581 tons per day the month before. Plate inventories ended the month at 2.2 months, down from 2.5 months in October.

Pipe and Tube

Canadian shipments of pipe and tube products in November were 54,000 tons, a decrease of 3.6 percent from the month before, but an increase of 3.7 percent from the same month last year. Daily shipments declined from 2,700 tons in October to 2,600 tons per day in November. Inventories at the end of the month were 147,400 tons, up 3.6 percent from last month, and up 22.9 percent from the same month one year ago. The daily average receipt rate for November was 2,814 tons per day, down from 3,043 tons per day the month before. Total months on hand for pipe and tube inventories stood at 2.7 months, up from 2.5 months in October.

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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