Nigeria’s Linetrale LLC has stepped into the global liquefied natural gas (LNG) market after securing cargoes in a recent Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) tender, placing the Lagos-based company alongside established international trading giants.
Linetrale was one of three trading houses awarded cargoes last week, in a deal that also included global energy firms Gunvor Group and Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC).
The development marks a rare breakthrough for a Nigerian-owned company in a market long dominated by large international players.
Founded nearly two decades ago, Linetrale has historically maintained a limited footprint in LNG trading, with only two recorded cargo supplies in 2020 and 2023.
Its latest success signals a growing presence in the sector as global demand for LNG continues to accelerate.
According to the company’s website, Linetrale also trades liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), natural gas liquids (NGLs), and crude-oil products, but its latest entry into the LNG space highlights a strategic expansion of its portfolio.
The LNG market has traditionally been challenging for smaller firms due to the high costs and technical complexities involved in transporting super-chilled gas across regions.
Infrastructure requirements, shipping capacity, and access to financing have kept LNG trading concentrated in the hands of major energy companies.
Linetrale’s ability to compete in this space underscores both Nigeria’s increasing role in the global gas market and the opportunities emerging for regional players to participate.
Global LNG demand has risen sharply in recent years as Asia and Europe compete for supply to meet growing energy needs and diversify away from traditional sources.
A fresh wave of new production capacity is expected to come online next year, further intensifying competition and creating entry points for emerging traders.
Nigeria, which holds some of the largest gas reserves in Africa, is seeking to expand its share of the global LNG market under the government’s “Decade of Gas” initiative.
NNPC’s allocation of cargoes to both global majors and local traders reflects a strategy aimed at deepening Nigeria’s participation in international markets while supporting indigenous firms.
Linetrale’s inclusion among the winners of last week’s tender positions the company as a rising player in global LNG trading, providing an opportunity to demonstrate capacity, build credibility, and compete with long-established rivals.