US-listed Golar LNG is expecting a big jump in gas carrier rates in the third quarter as vessel under-supply beckons.

The LNG carrier company said there would be a "strong improvement" in the market, with time charter equivalent (TCE) earnings expected to be at least double those of the second quarter.

The fleet recorded TCE rates of $19,600 per day in the second period, down from $36,000 in the first three months, but up from $14,600 a year ago.