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World LNG Report 2026: North American exports drive record growth for global LNG trade

According to the IGU, global LNG trade grew by 6.3% in 2025, the strongest growth since 2022.

Every year, the International Gas Union (IGU) publishes its World LNG Report, a comprehensive public source of information on key developments and trends in Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG). According to the 2026 edition, global LNG trade grew by 6.3% between 2024 and 2025 to about 437 million tonnes (MT), the strongest growth since 2022. In 2025, the global LNG trade connected 24 exporting markets with 50 importing markets.

 

LNG exports in 2025

 

Asia-Pacific remained the leading exporting region in 2025 with 138.76 MT, with no change from the 138.91 MT exported in 2024. North America recorded the largest regional export growth (+25.3 MT to 113.91 MT), ranking as the second-largest exporter in 2025. The Middle East ranked third, with exports rising by 3.8 MT to reach 98.03 MT.

The overall growth in exports in 2025 was mainly driven by the United States (+22.3 MT), Qatar (+4.3 MT), Malaysia (+1.1 MT), Angola (+1.1 MT), and Nigeria (+1.0 MT).

 

Canada, Mauritania and Senegal joined the ranks of LNG exporters in 2025.

 

LNG imports in 2025

 

Asia Pacific remained the largest importing region in 2025 with 168.7 MT of imports (+3.6 MT).

China remained the world’s largest LNG importer despite declining imports volumes (-8.9 MT). Year-on-year decrease in LNG imports in China was driven by mild seasonal demand at the beginning of the year, rising domestic production and increased pipeline supply from Russia.

At the regional level, Europe recorded the most significant shift by ranking as the second largest LNG importer, reversing the decline observed in 2024. In 2025, European imports increased by 26.1 MT to 126.2 MT.

 

LNG liquefaction capacity in 2025

 

In 2025, 30.1 million tonnes per annum (MTPA) of liquefaction capacity was brought online to reach a global total of 524.5 MTPA by year-end.

 

LNG carriers in 2025

 

The global LNG carrier fleet grew by 8.4% from 2024 to 2025, with the delivery of 79 carriers in 2025. There were 804 active LNG vessels at the end of February 2024, including 49 floating storage and regasification units (FSRUs) and 11 floating storage units (FSUs).

 

 

For more information, the full report is available for download on the IGU website.

 

For a summary of the LNG global trade in 2024, please read our previous post.  

 

 

Did you know? Held in Doha, Qatar, in February 2026, the 21st International Conference & Exhibition on Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG2026) was organised jointly by International Gas Union (IGU), the Gas Technology Institute (GTI) and the International Institute of Refrigeration (IIR).
The LNG Conference serves as a premier platform for industry leaders, experts, and innovators to share insights, discuss emerging trends, and address the pressing challenges facing the global LNG sector.
Download LNG2026 conference papers on FRIDOC