Platts, part of S&P Global Commodity Insights, is to launch daily Asia/Pacific and Atlantic LNG day rates for 2-stroke LNGCs, effective 1st November.
The LNGC market for single-voyage spot charters has been evolving in recent years, as the available spot fleet progresses to newer tonnage and technology.
Platts said that it understood that 2-stroke 170,000-180,000 cu m capacity LNGCs, known as ME-GI or X-DF carriers, depending on the engine manufacturer, are becoming increasingly attractive to charterers, due to their lower boil-off gas (BOG) rates.
Furthermore, 2-stroke LNGCs comprise around 92% of the current fleet orderbook, meaning they are likely to become the most common carrier type during the next decade.
Platts said that these types of LNGCs currently command a premium, compared with existing tri-fuel diesel electric (TFDE) ships, depending on market dynamics, making them increasingly attractive to shipowners and operators.
The proposed new assessments would be published alongside existing Platts Asia/Pacific and Atlantic LNG day rate assessments for TFDE vessels.
Assessments are to be published in US dollars per day, as well as the related ballast rate assessments as a percentage.They would reflect 2-stroke LNGCs of 174,000 cu m capacity, for cargoes loading 25-45 days forward.
They would also reflect the tradeable value of the market at 16:30 Singapore time and would follow the Singapore publishing schedule, while the Atlantic assessments would reflect the tradeable value at 16:30 London time and likewise, would follow the London publishing schedule.
