LNG

The LNG spot market experienced an extraordinary surge this week off the back of the tensions surrounding Iran, with rates increasing across all major routes as LNG prices soared.

On the BLNG1 Australia–Japan route, 174k cbm vessels climbed $181,600 week-on-week to settle at $223,000/day as sentiment firmed.

The BLNG2 US Gulf–Continent route also saw a rally, with earnings surging $201,600 to $255,000/day. Similarly, the BLNG3 US Gulf–Japan route jumped $204,500 to $264,000/day.

In the time charter market, period rates followed the spot rally sharply higher. The six-month rate surged $116,900 to $145,000 per day, while the one-year term jumped $63,750 to $103,000/day. Further out the curve, the three-year period rose $27,500 to $88,000/day, reflecting improving long-term sentiment as the market rapidly repriced following the spike in spot earnings.

LPG

With ongoing tensions surrounding Iran, the LPG market experienced a mixed week. The West saw a sharp increase at the beginning of the week before gradually softening as sentiment eased toward the end of the period.

On the BLPG1 Ras Tanura–Chiba route, rates settled at $106.00 and TCE earnings at $90,338. The BLPG2 Houston–Flushing route softened over the week, slipping $0.63 to $81.00, with TCE earnings falling $6,206 to $76,924/ day. Similarly, the BLPG3 Houston–Chiba route declined $1.17 to $146.33, with TCE returns dropping $7,531 to $65,954/day.