Charter rates for LNG carriers are rising ahead of what is widely anticipated to be a strong winter market.

Brokers and owners say levels have nudged up to rates in the $80,000-per-day range for modern ships trading spot cargoes in the Atlantic region.

They peg these at closer to $70,000 per day for those moving cargoes out of the Middle East Gulf, with vessels in Asia fixing at levels of between $60,000 and $65,000 per day.