LNG tanker rates flat despite Japan earthquake
Spot rates stable as market assesses demand; shipping capacity tight; long-term charters expected to rise
LNG spot tanker rates are flat, despite the catastrophic earthquake and tsunami that hit Japan last week, as the market tries to assess the country's near-term demand. Although Japan is likely to import more LNG for power generation to compensate for a long-term loss of nuclear capacity, residential and business demand for electricity is expected to remain low in the short-term, while the country battles against a nuclear disaster and starts to recover from the largest quake on record. Although one report said ship owners were asking $100,000 a day for spot LNG tankers, market sources said no deals had been done at this rate. Fees were around $70,000/d before the quake and the LNG shipping m
Also in this section
20 February 2026
The country is pushing to increase production and expand key projects despite challenges including OPEC+ discipline and the limitations of its export infrastructure
20 February 2026
Europe has transformed into a global LNG demand powerhouse over the last few years, with the fuel continuing to play a key role in safeguarding the continent’s energy security, Carsten Poppinga, chief commercial officer at Uniper, tells Petroleum Economist
20 February 2026
Sempra Infrastructure’s vice president for marketing and commercial development, Carlos de la Vega, outlines progress across the company’s US Gulf Coast and Mexico Pacific Coast LNG portfolio, including construction at Port Arthur LNG, continued strong performance at Cameron LNG and development of ECA LNG
19 February 2026
US LNG exporter Cheniere Energy has grown its business rapidly since exporting its first cargo a decade ago. But Chief Commercial Officer Anatol Feygin tells Petroleum Economist that, as in the past, the company’s future expansion plans are anchored by high levels of contracted offtake, supporting predictable returns on investment
