Global LNG shipping – orders and deliveries

Spot/short-term charter rates for LNG vessels have made a a partial recovery after the steep falls seen in Q1 2019 that saw rates plunge from around US$200,000/day to US$35,000/day. A mild winter, high stock levels and low gas prices reduced the need for Asian markets to import LNG on long-haul routes the Atlantic basin reducing demand for LNG ships. Rates now stand at US$55,000/day ahead of the summer demand peak. Interest in new LNG ships, however, remains strong with 23 new large ships ordered so far this year. Just outpacing the 21 new large LNG ships that have been added to the fleet so far this year. A further 23 are scheduled for delivery before the end of the year. The accompanying Excel download to this reports lists all the new orders placed since 2016, together with all new ships delivered in 2018 and scheduled for delivery in 2019.