Transshipping LNG

As LNG supply increases worldwide, greater opportunities arise to transship the liquid via ship, barge, truck and possibly rail. Japan for decades has broken and transshipped large cargoes of LNG into smaller quantities via shuttle tankers and trucks to make coastal and inland deliveries feasible. At Spanish LNG import terminals, it is the truck loadout facilities that are commonly most constrained as trailers queue in long lines to transport LNG to downstream markets. China is very interested in LNG transport and is reported to have constructed LNG railcars for gas delivery to remote power stations. Likewise in the Northeast U.S. around the Everett terminal, the nation's largest transport fleet allows the Distrigas terminal to effectively spread and multiply its storage capacity across twenty or more satellite peaking facilities.

The purpose of this conference is to consider how greater volumes of world LNG trade will affect transshipment markets. From needle peaking facilities designed to alleviate suburban space-heating demand to sub-scale marine terminals designed to appease public concerns for unsightly and unnerving super-large tanks and ships, LNG transshipped to smaller facilities may prove economically attractive. The industry's leading market and technical authorities will discuss existing and new transshipment programs. Manufacturers as well as gas suppliers and market analysts will participate.

How will these transshipped cargoes compete with pipeline and storage networks? Can LNG offer seasonal advantages? Might LNG compliment pipeline delivery, or as in Brazil, will it offer a market entry tool in advance of pipeline extensions? These are some of the questions addressed during this meeting.

We hope you can join us for what promises to be an informative and enjoyable meeting.