Russia-based tubular pipe producer TMK’s total pipe shipments rose by 2pc in Q3 of 2020 (July-September) to 682,000mt, compared to the prior quarter supported by increase in welded pipe shipments at the Russian facility. In Jan-Sep 2020 period, however, the shipments fell by 14pc to 2.07mn mt from the prior-year period.
The company expects pipe shipments to witness a growth in Q4 (Oct-Dec) of 2020, according to a company statement.
Of the total shipments, seamless pipe declined by 6c in Q3 to 503,000mt, compared to the prior quarter. The fall was driven by reduced shipments of seamless OCTG pipe at the Russian division due to overhaul at the Russian division’s key production units. In Jan-Sep 2020, the seamless pipe shipments fell by 8pc to 1.5mn mt over the prior-year period.
During the quarter, welded pipe shipments rose by 35pc to 179,000mt from 133,000t in Q2 of 2020 driven by increased shipments of welded industrial and line pipe at the Russian division indicating a demand recovery after the COVID-19 related crisis. The shipments, however, declined by 27pc to 534,000mt in Jan-Sep from the prior-year period.