Following an approach by leading Baltic Exchange LNG shipbroking companies, the Baltic Exchange has formed the Baltic LNG Panellists Group. The move comes as the Baltic Exchange looks to develop a new LNG Index comprising several routes for the evolving LNG shipping market.
Affinity, Braemar ACM, Clarksons, and SSY are the LNG Panellists Group's first members and they are currently assessing a range of LNG routes before reporting moves to a trial phase.
Commenting on the formation of the new group, Baltic Exchange Chief Executive Mark Jackson said:
"The growth in LNG transported by sea has led to the formation of a spot market. However, any spot market needs to be underpinned by standard contractual terms – as already happens in the tanker and dry bulk freight markets. The Baltic Exchange is looking to support the LNG freight market as it matures and we hope to deliver greater transparency through an index. We are delighted that four of the most important independent LNG shipbroking companies have joined our panel and we look forward to developing a set of standardised assessments for use across the fast-growing LNG industry."