Steel Mills

Canadian Service Center Shipments Decline, Inventories Rise

Written by Brett Linton

July 18, 2017

Steel shipments by Canadian service centers in June totaled 392,600 net tons, down 5.4 percent from the previous month, but up 5.0 percent from June 2016, reports the Metals Service Center Institute (MSCI). On a daily basis, total shipments were 17,800 tons per day in June (a 22-day month), down from 18,900 tons per day in May (also a 22-day month), but up compared to a year ago when they were 17,000 tons per day (in a 22-day month). Total steel inventories at the end of the month were 1,138,600 tons, up 2.6 percent from last month and up 1.6 percent from this time last year.

The daily average receipt rate for June was 19,159 tons per day, up from 17,345 in May. Total June steel receipts were 421,500 tons, up 39,900 tons over May. According to the MSCI, total steel product inventories stood at 2.9 months at the end of June, up from 2.7 months the month before.

Flat Rolled

Canadian shipments of flat rolled products in June totaled 197,900 tons, down 10.3 percent from both May and the same month one year ago. Daily shipments decreased from 10,000 tons per day in May to 9,000 tons per day this month, and were down from one year ago when they were 10,000 tons per day. Inventories at the end of the month were 672,700 tons, up 1.5 percent from last month and up 3.7 percent from the same month one year ago. The daily receipt rate for June was 9,445 tons per day, up from 7,959 tons per day in May. Total tonnage received was 207,800 tons, up from 175,100 tons the month before. Flat rolled inventories stood at 3.4 months in June, up from 3.0 months of supply in May.

Plate

Canadian shipments of plate products in June were 78,400 tons, an increase of 1.2 percent from the previous month and an increase of 14.3 percent from June 2016. Daily shipments increased from 3,500 tons per day last month to 3,600 tons per day in June. Inventories at the end of the month were 167,100 tons, up 2.0 percent from last month, but down 16.1 percent from the same month one year ago. The daily average receipt rate for June was 3,709 tons per day, up from 3,636 tons per day the month before. Plate inventories ended the month at 2.1 months, unchanged from the month before.

Pipe and Tube

Canadian shipments of pipe and tube products in June were 55,000 tons, a decrease of 0.5 percent from the month before, but an increase of 37.0 percent from the same month last year. Daily shipments remained at 2,500 tons per day from May to June. Inventories at the end of the month were 121,800 tons, up 4.2 percent from last month, but down 4.1 percent from the same month one year ago. The daily average receipt rate for June was 2,723 tons per day, up from 2,700 tons per day the month before. Total months on hand for pipe and tube inventories stood at 2.2 months, up from 2.1 months in May.

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.

Read more from Brett Linton

Latest in Steel Mills