US and Europe Drive 2025 LNG Record as Middle East War Clouds 2026 Outlook
Global LNG trade reached a record 437 million tonnes in 2025, rising 6. 3% year-on-year, according to the International Gas Union (IGU). The United States remained the world’s largest LNG exporter with 110. 74 million tonnes, while Europe increased imports by 26. 1 million tonnes to replace declining Russian gas supplies. The IGU. . .
Global LNG trade reached a record 437 million tonnes in 2025, rising 6. 3% year-on-year, according to the International Gas Union (IGU). The United States remained the world’s largest LNG exporter with 110. 74 million tonnes, while Europe increased imports by 26. 1 million tonnes to replace declining Russian gas supplies. The IGU warned that prolonged Middle East tensions could reduce global LNG trade in 2026 by disrupting supply routes and increasing price risks. According to the World LNG Report 2026 published on Tuesday, July 7, by the International Gas Union (IGU), global LNG exchanges reached 437 million tonnes in 2025, representing a 6. 3% annual increase and the fastest growth rate since 2022. The IGU, which represents more than 90% of the global gas market, attributed the increase to stronger exports from the United States and higher European demand. The United States maintained its position as the world’s largest LNG exporter in 2025, with shipments reaching 110. 74 million tonnes. Meanwhile, Europe recorded the strongest increase in LNG imports. The region added 26. 1 million tonnes to reach 126. 2 million tonnes during the year. The IGU linked Europe’s higher LNG demand to efforts to rebuild gas inventories and compensate for lower Russian pipeline gas deliveries. In contrast, the Asia-Pacific region reduced its LNG purchases despite remaining the world’s largest importing market with 168. 7 million tonnes of imports. China accounted for most of the decline, cutting LNG purchases by 8. 9 million tonnes. Beijing reduced imports as domestic gas production increased and Russian pipeline deliveries expanded. The global LNG market also welcomed new exporters in 2025. Canada shipped its first LNG cargoes from its Pacific coast terminal, while the Greater Tortue Ahmeyim (GTA) project, jointly developed by Mauritania and Senegal on their maritime border, delivered its first LNG volumes. The expansion of supply capacity also supported record investment levels. In 2025, LNG projects representing 68. 4 million tonnes per year of new liquefaction capacity reached final investment decision (FID), marking the strongest performance since 2019, according to the IGU. Middle East Conflict Threatens 2026 Market OutlookDespite the sector’s strong performance in 2025, the LNG market faces growing risks from geopolitical tensions. The conflict that began in the Middle East in February 2026 damaged LNG infrastructure in the region, disrupted supply routes and increased uncertainty for Asian buyers. “The conflict in the Gulf damaged LNG infrastructure, clouded the outlook for expansion projects in the region and exposed Asian buyers to supply uncertainty and higher prices,”Andrea Stegher, president of the IGU, said in the report. Despite short-term risks, long-term LNG demand remains strong. The LNG Outlook 2026 report published by Shell in late June projected that global LNG demand could reach nearly 700 million tonnes per year by 2050, representing a 65% increase from current levels. This article was initially published in French by Abdel-Latif BoureimaAdapted in English by Ange J. A de Berry Quenum