Exclusive: US allows ethane to be loaded and shipped to China, but not unloaded

[highplainsdem]

Source: Reuters

The U.S. sent letters to Enterprise Products (EPD.N), opens new tab and Energy Transfer (ET.N), opens new tab on Wednesday informing the companies they could load ethane on vessels destined for China but could not unload the ethane at a port in China without authorization, according to a person familiar with the matter and copy of one letter.

The letters from the U.S. Department of Commerce follow earlier notifications to the companies that imposed a license requirement on exports of ethane to China.

The companies are highly unlikely to risk loading the ethane on vessels and sending them on their way, the person familiar with the matter said. If the vessel makes its way to China, it may be difficult to stop its offloading and the companies risk penalties of up to twice the value of the ethane.

"This letter authorizes Enterprise Products to load vessels with ethane, transport and anchor in foreign ports, even if...to a party located in China," the letter said. "However, Enterprise Products may not complete such export...to a party that is located in China..without further BIS authorization."

-snip-

Read more: https://www.reuters.com/business/energy/us-allows-ethane-be-loaded-shipped-china-not-unloaded-letter-2025-06-25/

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Lewis Carroll would've had so much material with the insane Trump regime.

Another paragraph in the article suggests that these batshit crazy directions are about relieving "congestion at ports like those near Houston" - but unless other people are as crazy as Trump, those ships won't be taking ethane to China without a guarantee it can be unloaded as soon as they get there.