Baltic Exchange to develop LNG shipping index

JANUARY 12, 2018 — Following an approach by leading Baltic Exchange LNG shipbroking companies, the Baltic Exchange is looking to develop a new Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) Index comprising several routes for the evolving LNG shipping market.

Affinity, Braemar ACM, Clarksons and SSY are the first members of a new LNG Panelists Group and they are currently assessing a range of LNG routes before moving to a trial phase.

“The growth in LNG transported by sea has led to the formation of a spot market,” commented Baltic Exchange Chief Executive Mark Jackson. “However, any spot market needs to be underpinned by standard contractual terms – as already happens in the tanker and dry bulk freight markets. The Baltic Exchange is looking to support the LNG freight market as it matures and we hope to deliver greater transparency through an index. We are delighted that four of the most important independent LNG shipbroking companies have joined our panel and we look forward to developing a set of standardized assessments for use across the fast-growing LNG industry.”

In recent years the substantial global increase in natural gas production and rising imports by India, China, Pakistan and Egypt have led to a fundamental change in LNG shipping market dynamics.

In addition, more contracts are being signed for shorter durations and smaller quantities, without fixed destinations. Trade patterns have diversified as new import and export terminals have been built and the LNG fleet continues to expand.

Until recently, the LNG shipping market was characterized by low levels of spot market activity, with the majority of business conducted on a long term contractual basis.

Various routes are currently being evaluated by the Baltic LNG Panelists Group. Once finalized their proposal will be presented to the Baltic Index Council for approval and trial phase.