CPC Corp, Taiwan’s state-run LNG buyer, has redirected spot and short-term tenders to US producers like Cheniere or Venture Global to offset suspended Qatari supplies. Customs data show monthly imports reached 2.07 million tonnes in April, up 4.34% year-on-year, with the upward trend continuing.
In the first four months of 2026, Taiwan imported 7.44 million tonnes overall, a 1.09% year-on-year gain with most volumes sourced from North America. Preliminary tracking indicates more US cargoes are en route, with total imports estimated at up to 2.4 million tons in May.
Cost-competitive, “safe” and readily available US cargoes could help cap Taiwan’s average delivered LNG cost below the $12/MMBtu level, analyst reckon – even as the island nation continues to buy large volumes. BloombergNEF estimates Taiwan’s LNG intake in the first half of 2026 at around 15 million tonnes, up 5% year-on-year, supported by the destination flexibility of US cargoes.
Australia struggles fill the gap caused by Qatar’s force majeure on cargoes from Ras Laffan, despite supplying roughly one-third of Taiwan’s nearly 24 mtpa of LNG imports in recent years. CPC chairman Fang Jeng-zen has therefore backed Taiwan’s pivot away from LNG shipped from terminals Down Under.
Pacific-facing LNG projects would help reduce shipping times to Asia. In spring 2025, CPC signed a letter of intent with Alaska Gasline Development Corp to procure LNG and invest in the $44 billion Alaska LNG project in return for firm takeoff.
Financial close on the Phase 1 feeder pipeline – set to carry North Slope gas – is planned for later this year, enabling a swift construction start. A final investment decision on the Alaska LNG export terminal is targeted for early 2027, with construction expected to run through 2031 or beyond.
Several risks could still delay sanctioning: The $44 billion Alaska LNG project lacks anchor offtakers and major partners. AGDC holds 25% equity and Glenfarne Group 75% via 8 Star – but developers still need about $20-30 billion of private debt and/or equity.
If CPC were to take an equity stake in exchange for firm offtake, the Nikiski-based project in south-central Alaska could edge nearer to financial close. (May 13, 2026, Source: https://lngjournal.com/index.php/latest-news-mainmenu-47/item/116342-taiwan-pivots-to-us-lng-to-fill-qatari-supply-gap)
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