AM/NS India Becomes First Steel Company To Produce ABS-Certified EQ70 Grade Welded Pipes

ArcelorMittal Nippon Steel India (AM/NS India) has achieved a major milestone in the global steel industry by becoming the world’s first steel company to manufacture ABS-certified EQ70 grade welded pipes for marine engineering and offshore applications. The development highlights India’s growing capabilities in advanced steel manufacturing and strengthens the country’s push towards self-reliance in critical industrial products.

The certification was granted by the American Bureau of Shipping (ABS), one of the world’s leading maritime classification societies known for validating safety, strength and structural compliance for marine and offshore infrastructure projects. The newly developed EQ70 grade welded pipes are designed for high-performance applications including offshore oil and gas platforms, deepwater pipelines and offshore wind energy structures.

AM/NS India said the innovation supports the government’s Atmanirbhar Bharat and Viksit Bharat initiatives by reducing dependence on imported seamless pipes from Europe. The company added that domestic availability of such specialised welded pipes will improve supply security, reduce lead times and lower costs for Indian engineering and offshore sectors.

The pipes were manufactured at the company’s flagship Hazira plant in Gujarat using advanced Submerged Arc Welding technology. According to the company, EQ70 grade steel offers a minimum yield strength of 690 MPa along with superior toughness, weldability and corrosion resistance required for harsh marine environments.

The production of ultra-high-strength welded pipes is considered technically complex because manufacturers must maintain consistent strength and structural integrity across both the base metal and welded joints under extreme operating conditions. The successful development of these pipes places AM/NS India among the global leaders in specialised steel manufacturing.

The company has already supplied significant quantities of welded pipes to a leading domestic oil and gas producer. Industry experts believe this advancement could open new opportunities for Indian-made steel products in regulated global offshore markets.

The milestone further reinforces AM/NS India’s focus on innovation, technology-driven steelmaking and expansion into high-value industrial applications.