The Gemmata tanker is expected to arrive at the UK's Dragon terminal on March 20, according to the local port authority at Milford Haven.

As Asian spot LNG prices weakened, the tanker performed a U-turn in the middle of the Atlantic this week away from Asia and towards Europe, shipping data shows.

Royal Dutch Shell is responsible for shipping test cargoes from the newly built plant in Maryland.

Cove Point is the second biggest LNG export terminal in the lower 48 US states after Cheniere Energy Inc's

Sabine Pass terminal in Louisiana, which exported its first cargo in February 2016.