A cargo of liquefied natural gas from Nigeria has been diverted to Asia after a surge in regional prices created an arbitrage opportunity for traders, according to a report by Reuters.

Data from analytics firm Kpler showed that the LNG tanker BW Brussels, which loaded a shipment at the Nigeria LNG Bonny Island Terminal on February 27, initially signalled a westward journey toward Europe before altering its route and heading south toward Asia via the Cape of Good Hope.

Analysts said the diversion reflects the widening price gap between Asian and European gas markets following disruptions to supplies from the Middle East. benchmark LNG

 price surged sharply last week as the ongoing conflict between the United States and Iran and a production suspension in Qatar tightened global supply.

the benchmark Japan-Korea Marker for spot LNG cargoes jumped by 68.52 per cent to $25.393 per million British thermal units for April delivery last Tuesday, its highest level in three years, according to S&P Global Platts.