According to data released by the Korea Iron & Steel Association (Kosa), Korea’s imports of heavy plates totaled 200,200 tons in July, soaring by 33% from a month ago. However, the country’s import of heavy plates slumped by 43% to 1.16 million tons in the first seven months of this year, due to weak demand from the end-users including shipbuilders, steel pipe makers and building contractors. In the first seven months of this year, China was the largest exporter of heavy plates to Korea with 579,800 tons, decreasing by 45%; Japan was the second largest one with 561,100 tons, slumping by 42%, both compared to the figures in the same period of a year ago.
Source:
http://www.yieh.com/2.2.01.01stainlesssteelnews.aspx?no=65941&division=A2
