LNG

Total deal on bunkering

Total and Swiss-based MSC Cruises have signed an agreement for the French energy company to supply around 45,000 tonnes per annum of LNG for cruise ships calling at the Port of Marseilles. Total said it already had worldwide bunkering ties with MSC Cruises. “As we prepare to launch our first of three upcoming LNG-powered cruise ships in 2022, through this key agreement Marseilles will become our hub in the Mediterranean for the refuelling of our latest-generation and most environmentally advanced ships,” declared Pierfrancesco Vago, Executive Chairman of MSC Cruises.

Charter rates edge higher

Shipping charter rates for LNG carriers in the spot market increased for West Of Suez by $2,000 per day to average between $34,000 per day and $30,000 per day for vessels of 155,000-165,000 cubic metres capacity. One-year charter rates for the most modern vessels also increased to around $54,000 per day from last week’s $49,000 per day.

Tokyo Gas spin-off plan

Tokyo Gas, one of the main Japanese LNG importers, said it would spin off a “preparatory company” to facilitate and ensure preparations for the legal separation of the Tokyo Gas pipeline division required by April 2022 under the Japanese Gas Business Act covering market liberalization. “The spin-off of the gas pipeline business is subject to approval by a resolution of the annual general meeting of shareholders scheduled to be held in June 2021 and the acquisition of licenses and approvals by the competent government agencies,” said Tokyo Gas.