Asia LNG imports rise, Europe’s fall to two year low
Asia’s LNG imports are set to hit a six-month high in July, while Europe’s imports are expected to fall to their lowest level in nearly two years. Asia is projected to take 23.05 million metric tons of LNG this month, up from 22.60 million tons in June, while Europe is forecast at 6.56 million tons, down from 7.21 million tons in June, according to Reuters and Kpler data.
Petronas signs LNG supply deal with Shizuoka Gas
Malaysia’s state-owned energy company Petronas has signed a long-term LNG sale and purchase agreement (SPA) with Japan’s Shizuoka Gas, covering approximately 0.84 mtpa of LNG supply starting in 2032.
Asian LNG demand falls for second year as Qatar disruption bites
Asian LNG demand set to fall for a second consecutive year as Qatari supply disruption pushes spot prices to levels that force buyers to cut volumes and switch fuels. Wood Mackenzie forecasts Asia Pacific demand at 257 million tons (Mt) in 2026, down from 268 Mt in the previous year and a peak of 278 Mt in 2024.
Egypt emerges as prominent destination for US cargoes
Attention has fixed on the rotation of US cargoes from Europe to Asia, but a third destination has been quietly absorbing Atlantic supply. Counted by sailing date, US terminals despatched 20 cargoes to Egypt in June, double May's ten and the most in any month on record.
Woodfibre LNG on track to complete construction by late 2027
Woodfibre LNG, positioned as the world’s first net zero LNG export facility, is more than halfway complete and targets end-2027 for in-service, CEO Luke Schauerte said. Addressing potential labour shortages, he told BNN Bloomberg the project is “in a really good spot (…) sort of between the waves of building.”
FRSU availability tightens as market awaits new FIDs
Near-term availability of floating LNG terminals is tightening fast, with Fernley expecting a fresh wave of vessel conversions as floating storage and regas units (FSRUs) have achieved their highest-ever share of global LNG imports.
ADNOC places order for four LNG carriers
ADNOC Logistics & Services has placed an order for four LNG carriers at China’s Jiangnan Shipyard in a deal valued at around US$900 million. Each of the newbuild vessels will have a capacity of 175 000 cubic meters and is scheduled for delivery in 2029.
GTT to design tanks for Delfin FLNG
French contractor GTT has received an order from Samsung Heavy Industries to design the cryogenic membrane tanks for Delfin FLNG 1, the first US floating liquefaction and export unit with a planned capacity of 4.4 mtpa. Targeting a 2029 start-up with an estimated capital cost of $2.3 billion, Delfin FLNG has long-term offtake agreements in place with Germany's SEFE, Switzerland-based Gunvor Group, and New York-based commodity trader Hartree Partners.
JKM-TTF spreads widen, opens arbitrage for US LNG to Asia
The arbitrage for flexible US LNG cargoes heading to Asia is open with spreads between the Japan Korea Marker (JKM) and the Dutch TTF widening, as the tepid recovery of Qatari and UAE LNG exports is unlikely to outpace rebounding Asian demand.
22 Japan-linked vessels transit Hormuz
Shipping through the Strait of Hormuz resumes, with 22 Japan-linked ships, including six large crude oil tankers and several LNG carriers, transited the strait to exit between July 7 and 9, transport minister Yasushi Kaneko said at a news conference in Tokyo. The number of Japan-flagged vessels in the Gulf has fallen from 45 to just four, with shipowners declining to comment on safety precautions for the crew.
