LNG

QatarEnergies is offering 10 LNG carriers for lease in a bid to monetise idle shipping capacity, following the suspension of output at its 77 mtpa liquefaction facility. The 10 LNG carriers on offer for charter, include large Q‑Flex vessels and modern dual‑fuel ships.

Fitch Rating reckons utilities in Asia Pacific can only a absorb a “short-lived fuel-supply disruption” linked to the Iran conflict. KEPCO and KOGAS rely heavily on imported LNG, so sustained shortages persist will weigh heavy on utilities balance sheets, analysts warn.

OnCorp is accelerating pre-commissioning works at the Suape floating storage and regasification unit (FSRU) in Pernambuco, Brazil, targeting an operational startup by the end of March or early April 2026. The timeline hinges, however, on finalizing a 15-year gas supply agreement with the adjacent Termopernambuco power plant.

Substantial upstream investment in Vaca Muerte shale is meant to help Argentina evolve from seasonal floating liquefaction to a multi-phase LNG exporter. To that end, state-controlled YPF plans to channel $3.3 billion into Vaca Muerta shale, with recent FIDs on two FLNG units in the Gulf of San Matías and associated infrastructure.

Dutch terminal operator Vopak has delayed its final investment decision (FID) on South Africa’s first LNG import facility until the first quarter of 2028. The decision follows a court order, halting state utility Eskom’s plans for a 3,000 MW LNG-fuelled power plant at Richards Bay.

Securing Energy for Europe (SEFE) and Argentina’s Southern Energy have signed an 8-years sales and purchase agreement (SPA) for 2 mtpa of LNG, with deliveries starting in late 2027. The deal, totalling 16 mtpa over the contract term, marks Argentina’s first long-term LNG export contract.

LNG use for transport is driving infrastructure investment in China, where the fleet of LNG-fuelled trucks tripled since 2019 and reached more 1 million vehicles at the beginning of 2026. However, battery electric trucks have now outcompeted LNG ones, capturing 29 percent market share in 2025 versus LNG's 24.8 percent .

Asia-Pacific energy exporters – notably Australia – stand to benefit first if the Iran conflict prolongs disruption to Qatari LNG supply as buyers scramble for replacement cargoes, Fitch Ratings said. Buyers are turning to producers in Australia and Indonesia, which offer immediate alternatives.

US LNG developers have secured 40 mtpa of LNG offtake from planned export projects in 2025, their strongest commercial year since 2022. Port Arthur LNG Phase 2 led the pack with 1.4 Bcf/d contracts, and Asian and European buyers keep coming for more amid Qatar’s export suspension.

Despite a 52% surge at Europe’s TTF gas trading hub, price-sensitive Asian buyers will bear the brunt of supply constraints – rather than premium markets like Europe that are willing to bid aggressively for cargoes.