UK schedules another LNG cargo

The UK’s spring upturn in LNG imports continued today, with the scheduling of this month’s fourth delivery.

The 266,000m³ Aamira is due to arrive at the South Hook terminal on 15 April with another Qatari cargo. Another two deliveries from Qatar are expected at South Hook aboard Q-Max tankers the Mozah and the Al Mafyar on 10 and 11 April, respectively. South Hook’s sendout was 25.7mn m³/d by early this afternoon, a rate which the terminal could sustain — assuming the tankers arrive full — without additional deliveries until 1 May.

This month’s other scheduled cargo is due to arrive at the Isle of Grain terminal from Algeria on 12 April aboard the 126,130m³ Ramdane Abane. There were no deliveries booked for the Dragon terminal early this afternoon.

Altogether, April’s UK LNG imports were on course to total 924,130m³ today, based on tanker size. March’s receipts were slightly higher at 962,700m³, but more operations could still be scheduled this month.

Receipts are still set to be lower than the 2.78mn m³ delivered in April one year ago, judging by tanker size. But last month’s imports and April’s scheduled deliveries are higher than January and February this year, when receipts totalled 742,000m³ and 477,900m³, respectively. In previous years, the UK frequently logged an increase in monthly LNG imports for March, April and May relative to the preceding winter months. Asian demand typically declines over the spring months between the winter heating and summer cooling seasons, making more spot cargoes available globally.

There were another two Qatari cargoes approaching the Suez Canal today, which could be delivered to Europe. The 261,700m³ Lijmiliya had no stated destination beyond the Suez Canal and the 217,000m³ Al Khuwair was heading for the Atlantic Ocean.