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Japan’s Tokyo Gas to add LNG carrier in 2026

  • Spanish Market: Freight, Natural gas
  • 05/03/24

Japanese gas utility Tokyo Gas' wholly-owned subsidiary Tokyo LNG Tanker has signed a long-term charter agreement with domestic shipping firm Mitsui OSK Line (Mol) to operate a new LNG carrier.

South Korean shipbuilder Hanwha Ocean will build the 174,000m³ membrane-type vessel at its Geoje shipyard, and it will be delivered in 2026. The ship is equipped with German manufacturer MAN Energy Solutions' latest engine, which is designed to use boil-off gas in addition to conventional fuel oil, to improve fuel efficiency and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

The vessel will be Tokyo LNG Tanker's 11th LNG carrier under long-term charter agreements. Tokyo Gas intends to secure the up-to-date high-performance ship to boost trading volumes and to import LNG.

Tokyo Gas has set a goal to achieve 20mn t of natural gas handling by the April 2030-March 2031 fiscal year, including 5mn t of LNG trading. But it also withdrew from four of its Australian LNG projects in 2022 by selling its entire stake to US energy investment firm EIG. Tokyo Gas said there would be no impact on its LNG procurements following the sale of its LNG assets, as the company can maintain continuing term contracts with those divested LNG projects.


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10/01/25

Australia's ACCC sees gas surplus for eastern states

Australia's ACCC sees gas surplus for eastern states

Sydney, 10 January (Argus) — Tight gas supply eased in Australia's eastern states during 2024, with a surplus higher than previously anticipated likely this year, according to the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC). The ACCC's Gas Inquiry December 2024 interim report anticipates a 77-112PJ (2.1bn-3bn m³) surplus, driven by larger than expected supply from Queensland state's coal-bed methane projects. The projections show a surplus in each quarter of 2025, including in the peak-demand winter months, if LNG projects export all their available uncontracted gas. This compared with the ACCC's September report which showed a possible July-September shortfall. But a 16PJ supply gap is predicted for the southern states of South Australia, Victoria and New South Wales (NSW), which will need to be managed with careful usage of storage. But this does not account for the 2,880MW Eraring coal-fired generator's lifetime extension , which will reduce gas-fired power demand in 2025, the report said. The ACCC is predicting a supply of 1,982PJ in 2025, higher than 1,946PJ in its July report, with demand at 1,871PJ compared to 1,836PJ previously. The exact surplus figure depends on the export quantities from the LNG projects based at Gladstone, with 77PJ of surplus if projects export all their presently uncontracted gas. Gas will need to be transported south from Queensland as usual in the winter months, the ACCC said, with about 9pc of customer demand to be unmet. The 26PJ Iona gas storage site in Victoria held 16.06PJ on 2 January, up from 15.11PJ a week earlier on 26 December, with the ACCC recommending at least 25PJ to be stored before May to maximise levels ahead of winter. The improved outlook reflects Australia's growing coalbed methane output, with production reaching a new monthly high of 3.57bn m³ in August, according to Australian Petroleum Statistics. An average of 3.49bn m³/month was supplied in the first 10 months of 2024, or 26pc of Australia's total average monthly gas production of 13.51bn m³. This compared to 25pc of the total in 2023 and 24pc in 2022. Domestic gas prices have softened, the report said, because of higher supply and lower global prices but remain above historical levels. Offers from producers for 2025 supply fell by 1.8pc from the previous six months to A$14.77/GJ ($9.15/GJ) in the first half of 2024, while bids fell by 6.6pc to A$13.48/GJ. By Tom Major Australian gas prices (A$/GJ) Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2025. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.

Venezuela opposition leader held, Gonzalez warned


09/01/25
09/01/25

Venezuela opposition leader held, Gonzalez warned

Caracas, 9 January (Argus) — Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado was detained for several hours today after leaving a rally to protest President Nicolas Maduro's disputed swearing-in on Friday, her allies said. Machado and her party members hold that their candidate, Edmundo Gonzalez, won a July presidential election, a claim supported by the US and many Latin American and other countries. The US kept in place broad sanctions against Venezuela's crude and energy industry in the wake of the contested election. Multiple black SUVs intercepted Machado while she traveled on motorcycle after the rally and forcibly took her while drones circled overhead, her allies confirmed. She was later released, they said, but she had not made a public appearance as of late Thursday afternoon. The Maduro government did not confirm Machado's detention. US representative Maria Elvira Salazar (R-Florida) vowed a response. "Our message to the Maduro regime is clear: If you attack Maria Corina Machado, we, the United States, will attack you", Salazar posted on social media. Venezuelan interior minister Diosdado Cabello has in turn threatened to "neutralize" any aircraft in national airspace carrying Gonzalez, who has said he will try to enter Venezuela on Friday to take the oath of office instead of Maduro. Gonzalez has been visiting multiple leaders in the region in the run-up to Maduro's ceremony, meeting with US president Joe Biden and president-elect Donald Trump's designated White House national security adviser Mike Waltz in Washington earlier this week. He has most recently visited the Dominican Republic and met with President Luis Abinader and other dignitaries there. Sources in Caracas say low turnout at pro-Maduro counter demonstrations today may have triggered the decision to arrest Machado. Trump's advisers have not disclosed whether they plan to tighten the US' sanctions against Venezuela, including whether they would remove exemptions allowing Chevron, Eni and Repsol to lift cargoes of oil produced in their joint ventures with state-owned PdV. Senate Foreign Relations Committee chairman Jim Risch (R-Idaho) unveiled a bill today that would condition a future removal of sanctions against Venezuela on the establishment of a democratically elected government in Caracas. But the bill, which enjoys backing of key Democrats on his committee, does not directly address Chevron's upstream exemption. By Carlos Camacho and Haik Gugarats Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2025. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.

Mexico inflation ends 2024 near 4-year low


09/01/25
09/01/25

Mexico inflation ends 2024 near 4-year low

Mexico City, 9 January (Argus) — Mexico's consumer price index (CPI) eased to an annual 4.21pc in December, the lowest in nearly four years, as slowing agricultural prices offset increases in energy, consumer goods and services. This marks the lowest annual inflation since February 2021 and a significant slowdown from July's annual peak of 5.57pc, which was driven by weather-impacted food prices. Inflation slowed from 4.55pc in November, marking four months of declines in the past five months. It closed 2024 below the December 2023 reading of 4.66pc, as CPI continues to cool from its peak of 8.7pc in August/September 2022at the height of the global inflation crisis. The December headline rate slightly exceeded Mexican bank Banorte's 4.15pc forecast but aligned with its consensus estimate. Following the results, Banorte revised its end-2025 inflation projection to 4pc from 4.4pc and its core inflation estimate to 3.6pc from 3.7pc. The bank suggested that the data supports the possibility of earlier cuts in 2025 in the central bank's target rate, currently at 10pc. Citi Mexico's January survey of 32 analysts estimated a target rate of 8.50pc by the end of 2025, with the next cut of 25 basis points expected at the next central bank policy meeting on 25 February. The central bank is targeting annual CPI of 2-4pc. Core inflation, excluding volatile food and energy prices, accelerated to 3.65pc in December from 3.58pc in November, marking the first uptick after 22 consecutive months of deceleration, according to Mexico's statistics agency (Inegi). Services inflation sped up to 4.94pc from 4.9pc, while consumer goods inflation ticked up to 2.47pc from 2.4pc. Agricultural inflation moved to 6.57pc from 10.74pc in November, supported by favorable weather conditions. Banorte noted that the developing La Nina phenomenon could significantly impact meat prices in the coming months. Meanwhile, energy inflation accelerated to 5.73pc in December from 5.25pc the previous month, driven by higher LPG prices. The industrial association Coparmex called for a review of Mexico's LPG pricing model, citing risks to supply and distribution. Electricity inflation decelerated sharply to 2.65pc from 22pc in November, reflecting the end of seasonal summer subsidies, while natural gas prices fell 5.67pc year over year. By James Young Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2025. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.

Denmark invites applications for CO2 storage permits


09/01/25
09/01/25

Denmark invites applications for CO2 storage permits

London, 9 January (Argus) — The Danish Energy Agency has launched its fourth tender inviting applications for exploration and CO2 storage, in three areas off the northwest coast of Denmark. The blocks, in the Danish North Sea, are geologically "particularly suitable for storing CO2", Denmark's geological survey found. The application deadline is 6 March. The Danish government issues permits with two phases — an exploration and a storage phase. If granted an exploration permit, developers have up to six years to investigate and assess the suitability and CO2 storage capacity of the area. They are then able to apply for a storage permit, which will be valid for up to 30 years. The Danish state holds a 20pc stake in all exploration and storage permits. Denmark awarded three CO2 exploration permits in February 2023, and three more in June last year. UK company Ineos took a final investment decision for the first phase of the Greensand CO2 storage project in December. The site's developers successfully demonstrated a pilot CO2 injection in March 2023. The carbon capture and storage (CCS) industry is gradually developing, led by northern Europe. The region has a geological advantage, in its declining oil and gas fields, as well as government funding from countries including Denmark and Norway. By Georgia Gratton Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2025. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.

CHS grows STL capacity with new terminal deal


08/01/25
08/01/25

CHS grows STL capacity with new terminal deal

Houston, 8 January (Argus) — US agribusiness CHS will increase its fertilizer product delivery capacity to farmers after securing an exclusive deal with an Ingram Barge subsidiary at its St Louis, Missouri, terminal ahead of this spring. Ingram Barge subsidiary SCF Lewis and Clark Terminals will only move CHS product at its Municipal River Terminal in St Louis, allowing CHS access to more rail and barge shipments for distribution. "This new pathway improves the efficiency and flexibility in our supply chain, so our farmers can have access to needed inputs, particularly during the busy growing season," CHS crop nutrients vice president Roger Baker said. The CHS supply chain includes imports and the domestic distribution of nitrogen, phosphate, potassium and sulfur fertilizers. CHS is a global agribusiness with a portfolio that includes agronomy, grains and energy businesses that reached a revenue of $39bn for fiscal year 2024. Ingram Barge Company operates a fleet of 150 towboats and 5,100 barges that transports commodities across the US river system. By Meghan Yoyotte Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2025. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.

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