The first US LNG shipment is set to arrive in China this week, tanker tracking data showed, after trading for the fuel was halted for more than a year due to the trade war. According to the data, at least six LNG carriers that loaded on the US Gulf Coast last month and early this month are currently sailing towards China.
During the trade war, China imposed import tariffs of 25% on US LNG. As a result, the country has received no US LNG shipment since March 2019. However, following the phase-one of US-China trade deal, Chinese importers are granted import tariff exemptions which make US LNG competitive.
LNG carrier Maran Gas Vergina, chartered by BP is expected to arrive in China on April 19. Other carriers are set to follow: RWE-chartered Palu LNG scheduled to arrive in China on April 22, the Cool Explorer on April 24, Total-chartered SK Resolute on April 29, Naturgy-chartered Hoegh Giant on May 5, and Cheniere-chartered Arwa Spirit on May 8.
These vessels were loaded at various US LNG terminals such as Freeport LNG in Texas, Cheniere's Corpus Christi Liquefaction in Texas, Cheniere's Sabine Pass terminal in Louisiana, and Sempra Energy's Cameron LNG in Louisiana.
