Qatar negotiating Suez-tariffs for LNG export

July 14, 1997 Qatar and the Suez Canal Authority are negotiating the terms of an agreement to export Qatari LNG via the strategic waterway to Europe.
Qatari Energy and Industry Minister Abdullah bin Hamad al-Attiyah told he had asked the Suez Canal Authority (SCA) for a bigger discount in transit fees for the LNG to "increase the product's competitiveness in the European markets. Depending on the deal we get from the SCA, we will decide on either exporting the LNG to Europe or to Asia," Attiyah said. SCA head Ahmed Fadel also told after meeting Attiyah that a technical committee was looking into drafting a long-term LNG export agreement with Qatar. "Based on the results of the study, the SCA will give new discounts," Fadel said. "We will try and fulfil the demands of the Qatari firms as well as is possible, taking into consideration the revenues of the canal." The Suez Canal currently offers a 35 % discount on the fees for LNG shipments. Later a source said the SCA would give Qatar an extra 5 to 10 % discount if it sends between 3 and 4 million tonnes of gas a year through the canal.