China’s National Pipeline Network Group (PipeChina) has launched its annual bidding process for LNG terminal slot access.
The company is offering both annual and medium to long term service slots across 10 terminals, according to a social media post last week.
This initiative aims to foster market competition and secure energy supplies, to align with China’s strategy of liberalising energy infrastructure and ensuring fair third party access, the company said.
PipeChina operates eight LNG receiving terminals - Dalian, Tianjin, Zhangzhou, Yuedong, Shenzhen, Hainan, Beihai and Fangchenggang, plus Longkou and Diefubei, which are under construction.
The eight terminals will accept bids for annual service slots from April this year to March, 2026, as well as medium to long term bids, ranging from three to 20 years, also starting in April this year, the company said.
Longkou and Diefubei will only offer pre-sale slots starting in July and October, 2025, respectively.
In addition, PipeChina is offering bonded LNG storage access at Dalian, Tianjin and Hainan.
According to the company, Dalian has a 160,000 cu m bonded tank, Tianjin has a 220,000 cu m bonded tank, while Hainan has two 160,000 cu m tanks.
The bonded storage facilities enable transhipments for re-export or for domestic distribution,which effectively lowers import costs.
Applicants have between 4th and 17th March to submit their bids, after which the bids will be reviewed between 18th and 19th March and the results will be announced by 21st March.
The successful applicants must sign terminal user agreements by 31st March, PipeChina added.
Preference will be given to those applicants who have upstream LNG procurement channels and downstream end users, as well as those applying for medium to long term slots.
