As of a previous market report, prices for BV Grade A mild steel plates in China ranged from approximately $730.77 to $789.23 USD per ton, depending on thickness. Prices for generic mild steel plates were around 3202.00 RMB per ton as of January 18, 2026.
Financial Overview
Current market prices for BV Grade A shipbuilding steel plates on the China market, based on a previous report, are detailed below. These prices are generally stable across different thicknesses.
| Thickness (mm) | Price (USD/ton) |
|---|---|
| 6 | $789.23 |
| 8 | $764.62 |
| 10 | $750.77 |
| 12 | $735.38 |
| 14 | $733.85 |
| 16-20 | $730.77 |
| 22-25 | $730.77 |
| 26-30 | $736.92 |
Key properties of BV Grade A steel plate
Mechanical properties (typical)
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Yield strength | ≥ 235 MPa |
| Tensile strength | 400–520 MPa |
| Elongation | ≥ 22% |
| Impact test | Usually not required at low temperature |
This is why it's called mild steel-good ductility and weldability, but not high strength.
Chemical composition (typical max %)
| Element | Content |
|---|---|
| Carbon (C) | ≤ 0.21 |
| Manganese (Mn) | ≤ 1.60 |
| Silicon (Si) | ≤ 0.50 |
| Phosphorus (P) | ≤ 0.035 |
| Sulfur (S) | ≤ 0.035 |
Low carbon content ensures excellent weldability, critical for ship hull fabrication.
Applications of BV A mild steel plate
BV Grade A plates are mainly used in:
- Ship hull structures
- Deck plates
- Bulkheads
- Superstructures
- Non–low-temperature marine structures
- Offshore platforms (non-critical parts)
They are suitable where normal strength is sufficient and extreme cold resistance is not required.
BV A steel vs other shipbuilding grades
| Grade | Strength level | Impact test |
|---|---|---|
| BV A | Normal strength | Not mandatory |
| BV B | Normal strength | Optional |
| BV D | Normal strength | Required |
| BV E | Normal strength | Required (lower temp) |
| AH36 / DH36 / EH36 | High strength | Required |
If higher strength or low-temperature toughness is needed, BV AH36 or DH36 is preferred.
Summary
BV A mild steel plate is:
A normal-strength shipbuilding steel
Approved by Bureau Veritas
Known for excellent weldability and formability
Widely used in marine and offshore structures
