LNG

JGC gives LNG updates

JGC Corp., the Japanese LNG engineering and construction company, has given updates on its most prominent contracts for LNG Canada with Fluor Corp. of the US and for Mozambique LNG, also with Fluor and TechnipFMC. “Engineering and procurement are proceeding on schedule and the fabrication of modules has commenced,” said JGC of the Canadian joint venture led by Royal Dutch Shell and located near Kitimat on the Pacific Coast of British Columbia. “Preparation of the construction site is proceeding according to plan,” added JGC.

Panama Canal slots to rise

The Panama Canal Authority said it would soon double the number of daily slots for liquefied natural gas carriers to four a day to accommodate the increased demand due to the expansion of LNG export plants on the US Gulf Coast. The number of LNG carriers that transited the Canal through the Authority’s fiscal year to the end of September 2019 numbered 399 ships, an increase of 37.6 percent compared with the 2018 number of 290 carriers. In fiscal 2017, a total of 163 LNG vessels transited the Canal and just 17 carriers were logged in 2016.

BHP names new CEO

BHP, the Australian commodities company with LNG interests in Western Australia, has named Mike Henry as Chief Executive to succeed Andrew Mackenzie, who will retire as CEO at the end of December 31. BHP has a global commodities market presence from its Australia resources and is also a shareholder in Australia’s oldest and newest LNG ventures, the North West Shelf plant and the Pluto LNG expansion.