Japan imported the most LNG globally in 2017 with 83.5 million tonnes, according to the latest report of the International Gas Union (IGU) in late April.
In 2016, Japan again was the leader of global LNG imports with 83.3 million tonnes annually.
The report noted that global LNG imports in 2017 recorded their highest annual growth rate since 2010, an increase of 9.9 percent to reach 289.8 million tonnes.
The biggest demand for LNG in the global market came from Asia.
China followed Japan with 39 million tonnes of LNG imports and South Korea ranked third with 38 million tonnes.
In 2016, China was the third biggest importer, but owing to the Chinese government's policies and new LNG capacities, China surpassed South Korea and ranked second in the global market.
Turkey ranked eight globally with 7.33 million tonnes of LNG imports.
- Qatar ranks as leading exporter
The country that exported the largest amount of LNG worldwide last year was Qatar with 77.5 million tonnes.
Australia followed with 55.5 million tonnes and Malaysia with 26.9 million tonnes.
Nigeria was the fourth biggest LNG exporting country on the list, while Indonesia was the fifth and Algeria the sixth.
The report noted that Turkey's second floating storage re-gasification unit (FSRU) had arrived at a port in the Dortyol district, located in the Hatay province in 2017.
Turkey began operations of its second FSRU with 20 million cubic meters of send-out capacity per day in February 2018.
Turkey's first FSRU was launched in Aliaga, Izmir in December 2016 at a time when the country needed extra gas capacity to meet increasing consumption due to the very cold weather conditions at that time.
The first unit, which Turkish companies Kolin and Kalyon operate, also had 20 million cubic meters of send-out capacity per day.
Turkey has already increased its daily send-out capacity from 190 million cubic meters in 2015 to 288 million cubic meters by the end of 2017.
The report also highlighted that Turkey is planning to build a FSRU terminal in Saros Bay on the Gallipoli peninsula.
By Murat Temizer
Anadolu Agency
energy@aa.com.tr