Atlantic LNG freight rates fall, making US cargoes head to Europe
Atlantic freight rates for spot LNG cargoes have fallen to a seasonal low of $20,000 per day, down $31 over the last fortnight, opening the arbitrage window for US LNG heading to Europe rather than Asia. Several LNG charterers have fixed vessels below round-trip economics due to a lack of fresh enquiry for Atlantic cargoes from Pacific Basin buyers, while shipowners are seen to be reluctant to ballast vessels westward.
LNG tankers swap cargoes off Oman as Gulf flows skirt Hormuz
Two LNG tankers seem to have conducted a ship-to-ship (STS) transfer outside the Strait of Hormuz, as suppliers seek to keep fuel moving from inside the Persian Gulf to global markets.
Arctic LNG 2 builds out tanker fleet to ease logistics strain
Arctic LNG 2 is expanding its tanker fleet to re-route exports to Asia ahead of the EU’s planned 2027 ban on Russian LNG imports. The Novatek-led project is estimated to need up to 40 additional LNG carriers to sustain Arctic LNG 2’s targeted export volumes beyond 2026.
China suspends US LNG imports for 40 days, turns to Australia
China has suspended LNG imports from the United States for 40 days in a tit-for-tat trade war, forcing traders to reroute shipments. No US LNG cargo is currently on route to China, Kpler data shows, and China Resources Gas International’s just secured alternative supply from Australia through a deal with Woodside.
