AM/NS India becomes world’s first steelmaker to produce ABS-certified EQ70 welded pipes

ArcelorMittal Nippon Steel India (AM/NS India) on Tuesday said it has become the first steel company globally to manufacture the highest-strength welded pipes in the EQ70 grade for marine engineering projects, securing certification from the American Bureau of Shipping (ABS). 

The ABS, a leading maritime classification society, independently validates compliance with globally recognised standards, including safety, strength, and structural integrity parameters for offshore applications. 

The company said the development marks a major milestone in offshore engineering and supports the government’s ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ and ‘Viksit Bharat’ initiatives by enabling domestic production of ultra-high-strength welded pipes that are currently imported from Europe for critical offshore applications. 

The indigenously manufactured pipes are expected to cater to sectors such as oil and gas platforms, offshore wind structures and deepwater pipelines, offering improved supply security, shorter lead times and lower costs for domestic customers. 

AM/NS India said it has already supplied a substantial quantity of the welded pipes to a leading oil and gas producer in the country. 

Equivalent to the American Petroleum Institute (API) 5L X100Q standard, EQ70 is a high-strength low-alloy steel grade with a minimum yield strength of 690 megapascals (MPa) and high toughness. The pipes are designed for demanding offshore applications, including leg bracing in jack-up rigs and deepwater pipelines. 

According to the company, the superior strength of EQ70 pipes allows the use of thinner and lighter pipes without compromising structural integrity, while advanced weldability and corrosion resistance improve reliability in harsh marine environments. 

The welded pipes were fabricated using Submerged Arc Welding (SAW) technology at the company’s flagship Hazira plant in Gujarat. AM/NS India said manufacturing ultra-high-strength welded pipes is technically challenging as it requires maintaining uniform strength and toughness across both the base metal and welded seam under extreme offshore conditions. 

The company said the achievement reinforces its focus on steelmaking innovation backed by the technological expertise, R&D capabilities and global best practices of its parent firms, ArcelorMittal and Nippon Steel. 

The ABS certification enables the product to qualify for regulated international offshore and marine projects by validating compliance with globally recognised standards for safety, performance and structural integrity, the company added.