Taiwan ups September LNG imports

Liquefied natural gas (LNG) imports into Taiwan, the world’s fifth largest importer, rose 12.6 percent in September year-on-year, according to the data released by the Directorate General of Customs.

Taiwan imported 1.26 million mt of LNG in September, as compared to 1.12 million in the same month in 2015.

The data shows that Taiwan paid about US$451.1 million for LNG imports in September, down 5.3 percent on year.

Most of the September imports came from Qatar (440,030 mt) and Malaysia (431,104 mt). The rest of the imports were sourced from Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, Russia and Brunei.

In the January-September period, Taiwan imported 11.13 million mt of LNG as compared to 11.02 million mt in the same period last year, the customs data showed.

Taiwan has currently two regasification terminals, located in the central and southern parts of the island.

State-owned CPC is also planning to build a third LNG import terminal to serve the northern region near Taipei.

Taiwan uses LNG to fuel its gas-powered power plants. The country has been increasing its LNG demand since 2010 and it was the only East Asian country to boost its imports of the chilled fuel last year.

Some forecasts suggest that Taiwan’s LNG demand may rise to 20 million mt in 2030.

 

LNG World News Staff