LNG

The LNG spot market strengthened further this week, with 2-stroke tonnage remaining extremely tight in the Atlantic, driving significant gains on all major routes.

On the BLNG1 Australia–Japan route, 174k cbm vessels rose $4,200 to $79,200 per day, while 160k cbm ships gained a much stronger $11,000 to $61,400 per day.

The BLNG2 US Gulf–Continent route saw the largest jump of the week, with 174k cbm rates soaring $25,000 to $129,000 per day. Meanwhile, 160k cbm vessels increased $20,000 to $93,000 per day, reflecting exceptionally tight 2-stroke availability in the Atlantic Basin.

The BLNG3 US Gulf–Japan route also strengthened considerably, with 174k cbm earnings up $17,600 to $125,000 per day and 160k cbm tonnage gaining $14,000 to $90,000 per day.

Time-charter sentiment followed the spot market. The six-month rate increased $3,550 to $37,950 per day, the one-year term rose $3,750 to $37,750 per day, and the three-year period firmed $2,500 to $54,500 per day.

LPG

The LPG market posted a firmer week overall, with activity picking up early on in the Middle East while fixing in the West slowed. Despite the quieter tone in the Atlantic, sentiment remained steady to slightly firm as continued enquiry in the East supported levels.

On the BLPG1 Ras Tanura–Chiba route, rates climbed $5.67 to $70.17 per metric tonne, with TCE earnings rising $6,485 to $57,687 per day, driven by a more active start to the week in the Middle East and tightening prompt availability.

The BLPG2 Houston–Flushing route saw only modest movement, up $1.13 to $65.88 per metric tonne, while TCE returns increased $1,081 to $69,965 per day as Western fixing activity eased, keeping gains more limited.

The BLPG3 Houston–Chiba route inched up $0.50 to $120.33 per metric tonne, with daily earnings up $489 to $53,334 per day. With the West cooling, improvements remained marginal.