Explore recent shifts in LNG vessel routes, with a focus on the Red Sea. Discover why some ships are bypassing Yemen, altering their paths through the Suez Canal. Stay informed on geopolitical influences impacting maritime transportation around the Red Sea.

Four liquefied natural gas (LNG) vessels recently changed their course to avoid sailing close to Yemen, as per ship-tracking data from Kpler, ICIS, and LSEG Eikon. The Celsius Copenhagen (IMO 9864784), for instance, had initially traveled through the Suez Canal on December 13th and was midway through the Red Sea, heading south. However, it made a U-turn on December 15th, likely to head back through the Suez Canal in the opposite direction. The ship had transported cargo from Freeport in the US to Incheon, South Korea, and was currently located south of the Suez Canal with Kalamata, Greece, as its next destination.

The Cool Runner (IMO 9636797), a vessel chartered by BP with a capacity of 160,000 cubic meters, seemed to have delivered part or all of its cargo to Greece’s Revithoussa LNG import terminal. This was a deviation from its initially planned route to arrive at Port Said, the northern end of the Suez Canal. The ship, which had a cargo from Freeport in the US, had also indicated a course towards the UK before changing to signal a route towards Egypt, according to ICIS data.

Two other vessels, the Celsius Geneva (IMO 9945435) and the Celsius Charlotte (IMO 9878711), were initially heading east toward the Gulf of Aden and were in the Indian Ocean when they changed direction. The Celsius Geneva headed south on December 15th, and the Celsius Charlotte followed suit on December 18th.

Kpler data revealed that the Celsius Geneva, controlled by Gunvor, was initially scheduled to pass through the Suez Canal on December 20th but is now heading for Cape Town, South Africa, with an estimated arrival on December 25th. According to Kpler data, the Celsius Charlotte is controlled by Cheniere.

Market sources noted that while some LNG vessels have been avoiding the Suez Canal route due to recent geopolitical concerns, others continue to transit past Yemen, using the Red Sea and the Suez Canal. The Suez Canal has not been entirely abandoned by the LNG sector, with several vessels remaining on track to use that route.

Goldman Sachs, in a note on Tuesday, stated that any shipping disruptions are unlikely to have significant effects on crude oil and LNG prices. Vessel redirection opportunities suggest that production should not be directly affected.

Earlier this year, a number of LNG vessels traveling from the U.S. to East Asia experienced delays at the Panama Canal due to a severe drought limiting traffic through the waterway. Vessels opting to avoid the Panama Canal route would have to navigate through the Suez Canal or take the longer route around the African continent, passing the Cape of Good Hope.

The Celsius Copenhagen, a 2020-built vessel flagged in the Marshall Islands, with a gross tonnage of 119,338, is owned by Sea 239 Leasing Co Ltd, managed by Celsius Shipping ApS in Hellerup, Denmark. As of December 19th, the vessel was in the Eastern Mediterranean, scheduled to arrive at Kalamata, Greece, on December 22nd.

The Cool Runner, a 2014-built vessel flagged in Malta, with a gross tonnage of 102,097, is owned by Priority Maritime Corp, managed by Thenamaris LNG in Athens, Greece. As of December 20th, the vessel was listed as underway in the Ionian Sea, Eastern Mediterranean, from Revithoussa, Greece (departed December 19th) to Bilbao, Spain, with an estimated arrival on December 26th.

The Celsius Geneva, a 2023-built vessel flagged in the Marshall Islands, with a gross tonnage of 119,063, is owned by Xiang H14 International Shipping, managed by Celsius Shipping ApS in Hellerup, Denmark. As of December 20th, the vessel was off East Africa, heading to Cape Town, with an estimated arrival on December 25th.

The Celsius Charlotte, a 2021-built vessel flagged in the Marshall Islands, with a gross tonnage of 119,338, is owned by Xiang CH28 HK International, managed by Celsius Shipping ApS in Hellerup, Denmark. As of December 20th, the vessel’s location was not specified. It is entered with Skuld (Skuld Copenhagen) on behalf of Xiang CH28 International.