LNG: LNG Freight Rates Sink, Tri-Fuel ‘No Advantage’ Over Two Strokes: Platts

Feb-07 11:39

LNG freight rates in both the Atlantic and Pacific basins have continued to fall, Platts said, with Tri-fuel diesel-electric charters losing their advantage over two-strokes.

  • Platts assessed LNG Atlantic carrier day rate at $1,500/d on Feb. 6, a 62.5% fall on the week.
  • Newbuilds have led to an oversupply of LNG carriers, increasing competition and driving down rates.
  • Low activity has caused rates to approach a theoretical negative, with operational costs exceeding charter rates, according to Platts.
  • As owners will not accept charters at a loss, rates reflect the need to cover operational costs.
  • In 2024, the average LNG Atlantic carrier day rate was $40,689/d, dropping to $15,000/d by Dec. 31.
  • The limited availability of cargo has caused many charters to remain uncontracted.
  • High fuel and delivery costs for ships contribute to higher prices.
Screenshot 2025-02-07 113438
Source: S&P Global Commodity Insights
Screenshot 2025-02-07 113503
Source: S&P Global Commodity Insights

Historical bullets

STIR: Next Fed Cut Still Seen In July, Waller Kicks Off Docket

Jan-08 11:38
  • Fed Funds implied rates have lifted off overnight lows for back little changed on the day ahead of a solid docket for data and some important Fed commentary. They continue to imply a next rate cut only with the July meeting.
  • Cumulative cuts from 4.33% effective: 1bp Jan, 9.5bp Mar, 15bp May, 23bp Jun, 27bp Jul and 37bp Dec.
  • Gov. Waller (permanent voter) speaks on the economic outlook at an event in Paris at 0800ET (text + Q&A) before the FOMC minutes at 1400ET (preview here).
  • Waller, who last year was an important mouthpiece for the Fed, last spoke on Dec 2 ahead of the Dec 17-18 FOMC decision. His support for a rate cut at that meeting drew a dovish reaction, and he also added that he expects rate cuts to continue over 2025 to neutral, with rates still “some distance” from neutral. In light of recent steepening themes, he at the time said that the long-run neutral rate is affected by fiscal policy. 
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US: Review Of President-Elect Donald Trump's Mar-a-Lago Press Conference

Jan-08 11:32

US President-elect Donald Trump delivered a wide-ranging press conference at his Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida on January 7, touching on various issues from energy to his foreign policy ambition of carving out a new US sphere of influence from Panama to Greenland.   

  • Please find below a full summary of the presser with analysis of the key comments related to foreign policy, tariffs, energy, and legislation.

Full article: Trump Press Conference Review

GILTS: Long Futures Positioning A Potential Factor In Sell Off

Jan-08 11:26

Elsewhere, a reminder that our latest positioning indicator update (published yesterday) pointed to long positioning in gilt futures. That could be adding further fuel to the sell off.