U.S.-China LNG Trade Sees Rare Cargo Amid Ongoing Tensions

U.S.-China LNG trade has seen significant fluctuations since the U.S. began exporting LNG in 2016.

A recent cargo of U.S. LNG, transported by QatarEnergy's Al Fat'h, arrived at China's Yangpu terminal on Hainan Island in mid-July.

The cargo was loaded at Venture Global's Plaquemines LNG facility in early June and was moved through QatarEnergy Trading.

The Yangpu terminal has bonded status for two of its 160,000-cubic-meter LNG tanks, allowing cargoes to be re-exported or used for bunkering without attracting Chinese import tariffs.

Long-term contracts between Venture Global and Chinese companies Sinopec and CNOOC Gas & Power remain in place, with flexibility for buyers to take delivery at the U.S. terminal and place the LNG in different markets.