Weaker LNG Tankship Spot Market Anticipated

The tanker market is in the midst of a supply surge ahead of new liquefaction from next year. Until new supply begins to roll out from 2H 2014 from Australia and Papua New Guinea, we should expect a much weaker market for spot tankers, says Pira's weekly 'Energy Market Recap'.

But what should happen in LNG shipping often does not. After probably the weakest year in modern LNG shipbuilding history, in which a single vessel was delivered in 2012 (boosting rates to never seen before highs last year, combined with nuclear outages in Japan), some 10 vessels have been delivered through September and 13 more are on the books for 4Q 2013, which should have a mitigating effect on relatively high LNG spot charter day rates.

Source: PIRA Energy Group's weekly Energy Market Recap at: http://www.pira.com/news-press/energy-market-recap