Steel Sheets Stock in Quay in Japan Fall by 4.8 % in December

Total steel sheets stock quantity in the quay side of East Japan and West Japan decreased to 351,000 tonnes by 17,000 tonnes or 4.8% in the ended of December, 2005 over the previous month according to Hanwa announced on Tuesday. It decreased for 2 consecutive months because the import volume became low level. It increased by 16.6% or 50,000 tonnes over the same month of last year. In Osaka area, all stock in the quay side dropped to 222,000 tonnes by 0.4% or 1,000 tonnes over the last month. As for variety, the steel plate stock fell to 33,000 tonnes by 2,000 tonnes or 5.7%; the hot rolled steel coil stock jumped to 58,000 tonnes by 13,000 tonnes or 22.4%; the cold rolled steel coil stock decreased to 131,000 tonnes by 12,000 tonnes or 9.1%. In Tokyo area, all stock in the quay side decreased to 129,000 tonnes by 12.4% or 16,000 tonnes over the last month. As for variety, the steel plate stock decreased to 20,000 tonnes of the same level from last month; the hot rolled steel coil stock dropped down to 49,000 tonnes by 7,000 tonnes or 12.5%; the cold rolled steel coil stock reduced to 60,000 tonnes by 9,000 tonnes or 15.0%. Some importer said that the stock in the quay side would fall off sequentially since new import steel products seems to be not gain much more.