Steel Import Inventory Increases at Japanese Quays

The inventory of imported steel products at Japanese quays increased by 0.7% to 256,000 tonnes at the end of June from a month ago, announced Hanwa Kogyo on Tuesday, Japanese major metal trading house. The inventory increased for the first time in 8 months with few acceptances of the imported products at quays, though there were few new arrivals in June. However, the inventory is still lower by 150,000 tonnes or 36.9% at the end of June from a year ago.The quay inventories around Osaka area increased by 5.7% to 183,000 tonnes at the end of June from a month ago. The inventory increased by 30.4% to 30,000 tonnes for steel plate, by 2.3% to 43,000 tonnes for hot-rolled steel coil and by 1.8% to 110,000 tonnes for cold-rolled steel coil.The quay inventories around Tokyo area decreased by 9.8% to 73,000 tonnes at the end of June from a month earlier. The inventory decreased by 16.6% to 15,000 tonnes for steel plate, by 15.6% to 32,000 tonnes for hot-rolled steel coil and kept flat at 26,000 tonnes for cold-rolled steel coil.Some importers forecast the quay inventory would keep the low level for a while when new import arrival is little mainly from China.