What does a shipbroker's LNG desk do?

Braemar plc is one of only two publicly listed shipbrokers and has a history of developing products to meet the expanding needs of shipping investors in the modern era.

That includes developing sectors such as LNG. 

“We are a new team,” Mr Katz said, noting that Braemar has been in existence for more than 40 years, from its founding in 1982 as a private company, before becoming a public company in 2001.

A series of acquisitions and mergers led the shipbroker to become Braemar Seascope before taking on its current guise and moving into new areas such as LNG FFAs, renewables and carbon offsetting.

“We cover all shipping segments,” said Mr Katz, “including LNG and LPG.” In addition, the company covers corporate finance, marketing and derivatives. The largest LNG team is located in London and includes analysts.

“The focus is on finding the best value for our customers,” said Mr Katz. “The cargo owner or the shipowner.”

On the LNG side, this extends from the spot activity of charters as short as five, 10, or 15 days, all the way to long-term charters which can be addressed in decades.

“We will also look at sale and purchase opportunities,” he said.

The desk has a role in producing feasibility studies, such as LNG tanker conversions, which means no two projects are the same.

The LNG desk at Braemar is flexible, “We can take the client on multi-year projects, all the way to delivery.”