LNG shipping: outlook mired by vessel glut and China demand woes despite US-China trade truce
- LNG shipping market remains weak despite easing of China-US trade tensions, as tonne-mile demand drops and vessel oversupply continues
- US LNG exports to China faces limited recovery, with tariffs still deterring spot purchases and reducing long-haul shipping demand
- Freight rates stay low amid record new vessel deliveries; a rebound is unlikely to emerge this year
Despite easing China-US trade tensions, the LNG shipping market remains under pressure as weak Chinese demand, Beijing’s ongoing tariffs on US cargoes and a wave of new vessel deliveries continue to weigh on freight rates and tonne-mile demand, with any meaningful recovery unlikely before 2027
