The first cargo of LNG produced at the new Calcasieu Pass export facility in Cameron, Louisiana, has departed, Venture Global LNG and JERA Global Markets said on March 1.

The cargo of about 153,900 cubic meters of LNG was successfully loaded on the Greek-flagged tanker Yiannis, chartered by JERA Global Markets Pte Ltd., a trading subsidiary of JERA Co., Venture Global said in a release.

“We are delighted to receive the first cargo from the Calcasieu Pass LNG project, which has great significance for easing the supply-demand balance of LNG amid the tight global market situation,” JERA Global Markets CEO Kazunori Kasai said in the release.

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Venture Global started producing LNG in January at Calcasieu, where it is installing 18 modular liquefaction trains to produce about 10 million tonnes per annum (mtpa) of LNG, equivalent to about 1.5 Bcf/d of natural gas. Analysts estimate the plant cost about $4.5 billion.

JERA is Japan’s biggest power generator and one of the world’s top buyers of LNG.

On March 1, the ship’s destination was showing as open for orders, according to Refinitiv.

Yiannis’ departure comes as demand and prices for LNG have soared. A number of tankers carrying U.S. LNG has been flowing to Europe to ease shortages stemming from lower production and reduced pipeline flows.

Venture Global asked U.S. energy regulators for permission to load the vessel by Feb. 9.