China’s monthly LNG imports slip first time in three years

Imports of liquefied natural gas (LNG) into China have dropped in October compared to the corresponding month last year.

China, the world’s second-largest importer of the chilled fuel, reported an 11.5 percent drop in imports during the month under review, the first drop in three years. Citing industry sources, Platts reports the drop is attributed to a lengthy shutdown at PetroChina’s Rudong LNG facility.

Data from the Chinese General Administration of Customs shows that a total of 4.04 million tonnes of LNG were imported during the month, which compares to 4.60 million tonnes of LNG in October 2018.

Data shows the imports plunged 20.8 percent down when compared to September when 5.10 million tonnes of the chilled fuel were imported into China.

During the first ten months of the year, China imported a total of 47.4 million tonnes of LNG, 14 percent above 41.6 million tonnes imported during the corresponding period last year.

In terms of value, October 2019 imports reached $1.8 billion with the ten-month import value reaching $22.85 billion, the data shows.

LNG World News Staff