Novatek Starts LNG Sales to China in ISO Containers

Russian LNG exporter Novatek announced on December 1 that its Novatek Gas & Power Asia subsidiary and Japanese partner Saibu Gas had completed a first joint trial delivery of LNG in ISO containers to China.

The LNG was delivered from the Japanese Hibiki container terminal to Shanghai in ISO containers owned by Tiger Gas, which bought the gas under a spot contract, for subsequent sale in China.

"Together with our partners, we have successfully completed our first trial delivery of LNG in ISO containers to China,” Novatek's first deputy chairman, Lev Feodosyev, commented. “It is forecasted that ISO containers of LNG will exponentially increase over the upcoming decades, allowing us to diversify our customer base by including small-scale LNG consumers and entering the downstream markets in China and Japan."

The delivery of LNG in ISO containers has grown in popularity in recent years, particularly in China. Delivering gas in this way means there is no need for large-sized export and import terminals. And once it is brought ashore, it can be moved by rail or truck or barge to its final destination.