Taiwan’s LNG imports climb in March

Preliminary data from the Directorate General of Customs shows that the country received 2.08 million tonnes of LNG in March.

This is up by 10.1 percent year-on-year compared to 1.89 million mt in March 2024.

March LNG imports also rose compared to 1.80 million tonnes of LNG in February and 1.48 million tonnes of LNG in January.

Taiwan paid $1.19 billion for LNG imports in March, up from $981.8 million during the same month last year.

The data shows that most of the March LNG supplies came from Australia (903,442 t) and Qatar (570,240 t).

Australian volumes dropped compared to 960,147 t in March 2024, while Qatari volumes increased compared to 353,062 t in March 2024.

Other LNG suppliers to Taiwan last month include Papua New Guinea (232,195 t), the US (118,176 t), Russia (69,832 t), Peru (67,163 t), Oman (66,950 t), and Malaysia (61,814 t).

During the full year of 2024, Taiwan received 21.50 million tonnes of LNG, up by 7.1 percent compared to 2023.

Last year, Taiwan paid $11.92 billion for LNG imports, down from $12.35 billion in 2023.

Taiwan currently imports LNG via two terminals operated by state-owned CPC.

CPC operates the Yung-An LNG terminal with a capacity of 10.5 mtpa and the Taichung LNG import terminal with a capacity of 6 mtpa. The firm is also expanding its Taichung LNG terminal.

In addition, CPC is also working on the Guantang LNG terminal and the Zhouji LNG terminal.

Methane Rita Andrea’s AIS data provided by VeseselsValue shows that the LNG carrier was located at the Guantang LNG terminal, or Taoyuan LNG terminal, on Friday.

The vessel appears to have delivered a commissioning cargo to the facility from Qatar.

CPC has not provided any updates regarding this LNG terminal, Taiwan’s third such facility.

In December last year, CPC also received the environmental approval for the intercontinental LNG terminal, or the seventh terminal.