Platts, part of S&P Global Energy, has increased the standard size of LNG ships reflected in the daily price assessments of LNG cargoes in Asia-Pacific, effective October 16, 2026. The standard size of LNG ships in the JKM, WIM, SEAM, and MEM assessments has been raised to 135,000-180,000 cubic meters, up from the previous size of 135,000-175,000 cubic meters.
Details of the New Changes
Platts hopes that market participants will behave rationally and accept ships that fall within this standard size range and are operationally suitable for the reported trades in the Platts Market on Close assessment process. This change reflects existing market practices, industry feedback, and the increased use of larger LNG ships in the global fleet.
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Importance of Using Larger Ships
According to Platts data, nearly two-thirds of the reported offers in the Asia-Pacific MOC assessment process in the first half of 2026 specified a ship size between 135,000 and 180,000 cubic meters. This indicates a market trend towards the use of larger ships for LNG transportation, which in turn can impact costs and transportation efficiency.
The change in ship sizes is particularly significant as global demand for LNG is on the rise. This change could enhance the competitive power of companies operating in this field and provide better service options for customers.
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