LNG

The LNG spot market continued to cool this week as the short-term spike in sentiment driven by tensions in the Middle East began to weaken. As the week progressed, a growing tonnage list and easing urgency from charterers pushed rates lower across both basins.

On the BLNG1 Australia–Japan route, 174k cbm vessels declined $29,900 week-on-week to settle at $104,900/day, reflecting the broader softening in the Pacific market.

The BLNG2 US Gulf–Continent route corrected sharply, with earnings dropping $86,600 to $95,000/day. Similarly, the BLNG3 US Gulf–Japan route fell $92,600 to $108,000/day, as the Atlantic market retraced following the earlier rally.

In the time charter market, long term period rates moved higher despite the cooling in spot. The six-month rate rose $22,100 to $111,300/day, while the one-year term increased $4,766 to $84,933/day. Further out the curve, the three-year period climbed $6,000 to $84,000/day, reflecting continued longer-term confidence despite the near-term correction in spot earnings.

LPG

Disruptions in the Middle East have effectively halted AG trading, with the de facto closure of the Strait of Hormuz creating significant uncertainty across the market. In response, owners have hardened rate expectations, particularly in the USG where fixing activity has accelerated.

On the BLPG1 Ras Tanura–Chiba route, rates were assessed at $117.75, with TCE earnings at…