LNG carrier freight rates have come under severe pressure due to rising fleet supply and stabilising LNG demand, as Japan prepares to restart its nuclear power plants. Despite the general market belief that new LNG supply from Australian projects will provide ample employment to the growing fleet, there are immediate challenges on freight rates. This is due to 49 million tonnes per annum (mtpa) of Australian LNG cargo supply expected to hit the market over the next two years, according to the newly launched LNG Forecaster report published by global shipping consultancy Drewry.

Soaring Chinese methanol expansion will boost demand for chemical tanker shipping on intra-Asia export trades out of China but check import traffic, according to the latest edition of the Chemical Forecaster, published by shipping consultancy Drewry.