Higher Plate Steel Price in Tokyo

Cut processed plate market price is expected to increase to 150,000 yen per tonne for product with 12 millimeters thick, 5 feet width and 10 feet length without freight at dealers’ sites around Tokyo. Shearing processors and dealers increased the selling price by 5,000-7,000 yen per tonne when plate makers announced the price hike to shearing processors and dealers with tight supply in the last half of fiscal 2008 at the ended March 2009. The market price had been flat at 145,000 yen per tonne due to slow shipment. Nippon Steel, Japanese major plate maker, increased the selling price by 10,000 yen per tonne for dealers in August order. JFE Steel increased the price by 10,000 yen per tonne in September order. These makers increased the price by total 40,000 yen per tonne after April. Plate as new price is delivered to dealers from makers at the ended of September. Dealers will raise the selling price by a degree. The demand is expanding for shipbuilding, construction machinery and energy industry. Makers’ supply can’t keep up with the demand though makers plan building up the capacity. The demand keeps slow for small-middle size building. Each dealer decreased selling volume. On the other hand, dealers’ inventory decreased when makers cut order award and delivery period is prolonging to dealers from makers.