US Gas Tankers Massively Redirected to Europe

American liquefied natural gas tankers are changing their routes, heading to Europe instead of their original destinations. This is reported by the Financial Times.  

According to the newspaper, at least seven vessels previously heading to Africa, Asia and Colombia have changed their course to European ports.  

‘Some of the ships have made quite sharp turns. It's unusual to see so many course changes and so many obvious reversals,‘ said one of the Financial Times’ sources.  

This is due to the desire of traders to take advantage of rising gas prices in Europe caused by the suspension of Russian gas supplies through Ukraine.  

According to the Financial Times, gas prices in Europe have reached their highest level since October 2023.  

Analysts estimate that the redirection of US LNG shipments from Asia to Europe could provide traders with an additional profit of more than five million dollars per shipment.  

Faced with the cessation of Russian gas transit through Ukraine, European countries are actively diversifying their supplies. For example, they are buying gas from Azerbaijan.  

At the same time, China is trying to strengthen cooperation with energy suppliers from the Middle East, in particular Saudi Arabia, arguing that the Trump administration's policy is unpredictable. According to Forbes, Beijing also promises Azerbaijan long-term contracts for the purchase of energy resources.