Thailand sells surplus LNG to Japan, emerging as re-exporter

State-run energy giant PTT also eyes shipments to China and other Asian buyers

A lack of winter demand along with the pandemic, which is stifling industrial electricity usage, has caused an LNG glut in Thailand. (Photo by Nozomu Ogawa)

YOHEI MURAMATSU, Nikkei staff writer

February 5, 2021 14:48 JST

BANGKOK -- Thailand's state-owned energy conglomerate PTT has shipped liquefied natural gas to Japan for the first time as it looks to re-export fuel for power plants to energy-hungry countries.

The first shipment left a PTT terminal in central Thailand late last month and arrived this week in Japan, which is experiencing a seasonal supply shortage, Nikkei Asia has learned. The unidentified buyer is thought to be a major energy company.