Global liquefied natural gas (LNG) exports rose by 4.8% year-on-year in the January-September period, reaching 317.7 million tons, driven by increased liquefaction capacity in the US and Mauritania, the emergence of new suppliers such as Canada, and growing demand in Europe.
In the past nine months LNG trade saw imports driven by European demand for refilling natural gas storage, while exports were boosted by capacity expansion, according to "Developments in the Global LNG and Hydrogen Markets in Q2 and Q3 2025" report by the Organization of Arab Petroleum Exporting Countries (OAPEC).
LNG export increased by 3.1% in the first quarter, 5.6% in the second quarter, and 7.3% in the third quarter compared to the same periods of the previous year.
This growth was supported by the expansion of US LNG export capacity, the export-oriented market entry of Canada and Mauritania, and rising LNG demand in Europe.
- US holds 25.3% share of global LNG exports
The US became the largest exporter of LNG by shipping 80.3 million tons, accounting for 25.3% of global exports. The commissioning of the Plaquemines LNG facility and the third phase of Corpus Christi, along with operational improvements at existing plants, supported this growth.
Qatar exported 62.8 million tons of LNG export in the January-September period, capturing a 19.8% share of the global market. Australia followed with 57 million tons of LNG exports, although its exports declined by 3.3% compared to the previous year due to production decreases at existing gas fields.
Russia's LNG exports decreased by 8.8% to 22.2 million tons due to the impact of sanctions. Among other LNG exporting countries, Malaysia exported 19.5 million tons, while newcomer Canada exported 1.6 million tons.
- LNG imports decline in Asia
Global LNG imports grew by 5.4% year-on-year in nine months to 321 million tons. While LNG imports declined in Asia, they increased in Europe, the Middle East, and North Africa.
The growth in imports was influenced by Europe's shift toward LNG after the halt of Russian gas flow via Ukraine in January and increasing imports from the Middle East.
On a regional basis, imports in Asia decreased by 3.9% to 201.6 million tons in the January-September period compared to the same period in 2024. In China, the decline was mainly due to increased domestic production and pipeline gas imports in the region.
During this period, China's LNG imports fell by over 16% to 49.2 million tons, while Japan's imports decreased by 2.4% to 47.9 million tons. South Korea's imports, however, increased by 5.2% to 35.2 million tons.
- Europe's LNG imports surge 28%
Europe's LNG imports, including Türkiye and the UK, surged by 28% during the same period, reaching 94 million tons. This growth was driven by Europe's increased focus on LNG after the cessation of Russian gas flows via Ukraine in January and the need to fill storage facilities in preparation for the winter season.
The report noted that Türkiye increased its LNG imports by 40% during this period to 7.9 million tons, as the country continued efforts to diversify its gas supply sources, and boost domestic gas production, primarily from the Sakarya Gas Field.
Imports by the Middle East and North Africa increased by 58.4% to 14 million tons. The main drivers of this growth were Egypt, Kuwait, and Bahrain, which made intensive purchases from spot markets to meet their growing domestic demand.
In North and South America, LNG imports fell by 11.6% to 11.2 million tons.
By Fuat Kabakci
Anadolu Agency
energy@aa.com.tr