According to the latest information about estimated time of arrival of LNG carriers, "Golar Maria" a LNG carrier from Norway, with loading capacity of 145,700 cubic meters, is expected to arrive at Himeji port in Osaka Bay around September 8th, 2011. The port has been used by Kansai Electric Power Company and Osaka Gas Co., Ltd. for LNG imports. Judging from the present situation, it is thought that the vessel has transported LNG purchased by Kansai Electric on spot basis.
This is the first time that Kansai Electric imports LNG from Norway. Also, the company is the fourth one in Japan to buy the LNG produced in the country. Concerning LNG from Norway, Tokyo Gas Co., Ltd. and Tokyo Electric Power Company imported one cargo each in 2008, in addition to which Kyushu Electric Power Company is considered to have received one cargo last month.
At "Snohvit LNG Project" a LNG production project in Norway, annually 4.2 million MT of LNG has been produced. According to the trade statistics of the country, 126,000 MT of LNG was exported to Japan in August 2011. |
