Steel Mills

Canadian Service Center Shipments Hit Three-Year High in March

Written by Brett Linton

April 17, 2018

Steel shipments by Canadian service centers in March totaled 435,600 net tons, up 13.6 percent from February, and up 3.4 percent from March 2017, reports the Metals Service Center Institute (MSCI). This is the highest monthly shipment level seen since June 2015 when 437,000 tons were shipped from Canadian service centers. On a daily basis, total shipments were 20,700 tons per day in March (a 21-day month), up from 19,200 tons per day in February (a 20-day month), and up compared to a year ago when they were 18,300 tons per day (a 23-day month). Total steel inventories at the end of the month were 1,112,900 tons, down 3.1 percent from last month, and down 4.5 percent from this time last year.

The daily average receipt rate for March was 19,033 tons per day, up from 18,905 in February. Total March steel receipts were 399,700 tons, up 21,600 tons over February. According to MSCI, total steel product inventories in Canada stood at 2.6 months at the end of March, down from 3.0 months in February.

Flat Rolled

Canadian shipments of flat rolled products in March totaled 233,400 tons, up 17.9 percent from last month, and up 4.1 percent over levels one year ago. Daily shipments increased from 9,900 tons per day in February to 11,100 in March, and are up compared to one year ago when they were 9,700 tons per day. Inventories at the end of the month were 636,200 tons, down 3.3 percent from last month, and down 13.4 percent from the same month one year ago. The daily receipt rate for March fell slightly to 10,086 tons per day, down from 10,130 tons per day in February. Total tonnage received was 211,800 tons, up from 202,600 tons the month before. Flat rolled inventories stood at 2.7 months in March, down from 3.3 months of supply in February.

Plate

Canadian shipments of plate products in March were 80,000 tons, an increase of 2.7 percent from the previous month, and an increase of 5.4 percent from March 2017. Daily shipments decreased from 3,900 tons per day in February to 3,800 tons per day in March. Inventories at the end of March were 164,000 tons, down 5.5 percent from the prior month, and down 0.4 percent from the same month one year ago. The daily average receipt rate for March was 3,357 tons per day, down from 3,430 tons per day the month before. Plate inventories ended the month at 2.1 months, down from 2.2 months in February.

Pipe and Tube

Canadian shipments of pipe and tube products in March were 58,000 tons, an increase of 12.2 percent from February, and an increase of 0.2 percent from the same month last year. Daily shipments rose from 2,600 to 2,800 tons per day in March. Inventories at the end of the month were 135,300 tons, down 2.5 percent from last month, but up 22.5 percent from the same month one year ago. The daily average receipt rate for March was 2,600 tons per day, up from 2,310 tons per day the month before. Total months on hand for pipe and tube inventories stood at 2.3 months, down from 2.7 months in February.

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