LNG carrier owners can look forward to a few more years of strong demand for the product from China, latest research suggests.

China’s shale gas production is unlikely to meet Beijing’s goal of 30bn cubic metres (bcm) by 2020, according to Wood Mackenzie.

“China’s shale gas production will likely reach 17 bcm in 2020, nearly double the 2017 level,” said the UK-based consultancy.