Trade Reaches Historic Peak
Global liquefied natural gas (LNG) trade reached a record 436.98 million tonnes (Mt) in 2025, marking a 6.3% increase over the previous year, according to the International Gas Union’s (IGU) World LNG Report 2026. The growth was driven primarily by higher exports from the United States, alongside increased shipments from Qatar, Malaysia, Angola, and Nigeria. Canada and Mauritania/Senegal also joined the global LNG market as new exporters, highlighting the continued expansion of the industry.
Europe Drives Demand Growth
Europe emerged as the fastest-growing LNG importing region in 2025, with imports rising by 26.1 Mt as countries sought to replace declining Russian pipeline gas supplies and replenish storage. In contrast, imports into Asia declined, mainly due to lower demand in China and India. The United States retained its position as the world’s largest LNG exporter, followed by Qatar and Australia.
Investment Remains Strong
The report also highlights sustained investor confidence in the LNG sector. Global liquefaction capacity increased to 524.5 million tonnes per annum (Mtpa) by the end of 2025, while 68.4 Mtpa of new liquefaction capacity received final investment decisions during the year. Developers increasingly incorporated lower-emission technologies, including electric-drive systems and carbon capture solutions, into new LNG projects. As per a press release, floating LNG (FLNG) projects also continued to gain momentum, reflecting growing interest in flexible offshore production.
Positive Long-term Outlook
Although geopolitical tensions in the Middle East disrupted supply and increased price volatility in early 2026, the report states that the LNG industry’s long-term fundamentals remain strong. Rising global energy demand, urbanisation, digitalisation, and the transition toward cleaner energy are expected to sustain LNG demand through 2035. The report concludes that continued investment, innovation, and international cooperation will be essential to ensuring secure, affordable, and lower-emission energy supplies in the years ahead.
