Global LNG imports reached a new record of 428 million tons in 2025, rising by 5 percent year-on-year, as the market was reshaped by a strong rebound in European demand and a new wave of Atlantic Basin supply, according to the newest annual report by the international group of LNG importers, GIIGNL.
GIIGNL’s previous report showed that global LNG imports rose 1 percent in 2024 to 406 million tons.
The Paris-based group said in the new report that growth in 2025 was led by the United States, where the ramp-up of Plaquemines LNG and Corpus Christi Stage 3 drove a major increase in exports.
New supply also entered the market from Canada, Mauritania/Senegal, and Congo developments, while output in several legacy producing countries was constrained by feedgas availability, maintenance, sanctions, or domestic supply priorities.
On the demand side, Europe was the main engine of global LNG import growth, with imports rising by 28 MT, or 29 perccent, as reduced pipeline availability, lower storage levels and higher power sector demand reinforced LNG’s role as the region’s primary marginal gas supply source, GIIGNL said
By contrast, Asia’s LNG imports declined by 11 MT, or 4 percent, mainly due to lower Chinese demand, as pipeline gas and domestic production gained share in China’s gas supply mix, it said.
GIIGNL said that the Middle East and Africa recorded the fastest relative growth, driven largely by Egypt’s rapid return to LNG imports, while imports in the Americas declined as hydropower recovery and pipeline gas availability reduced LNG requirements.
Moreover, the supply side entered a new expansion phase.
GIIGNL said global liquefaction capacity reached 524 MTPA, supported by 3 new liquefaction projects and 1 expansion coming online in 2025: LNG Canada Trains 1 and 2, Corpus Christi Phase 3 Trains 1 to 4, Plaquemines Phase 1, and Greater Tortue Ahmeyim FLNG.
At the same time, final investment decisions on new projects accelerated, particularly in the United States and floating LNG, pointing to a broader build-out of supply capacity in the second half of the decade.
More liquid, flexible, and infrastructure-rich LNG market
GIIGNL said that regasification infrastructure also continued to expand, with global regasification capacity reaching 1,247 MTPA by the end of 2025.
New terminals, expansions, reactivations, and FSRU deployments supported market growth across Asia, Europe, and the Middle East, while terminal operators increasingly diversified their services to include bunkering, bio-LNG, truck loading, reliquefaction, and small-scale LNG distribution.
Overall, 2025 confirmed LNG’s central role in energy security, market flexibility, and regional gas supply rebalancing, GIIGNL said.
The year combined record trade, accelerating infrastructure development, shifting procurement strategies, and increasingly
regionalized demand drivers, setting the stage for a more liquid, flexible, and infrastructure-rich LNG market in the years ahead, it said.
899 vessels
GIIGNL said the total LNG tanker fleet consisted of 899 vessels at the end of 2025.
This compares to 831 vessels at the end of 2024.
The 2025 fleet included 54 FSRUs and 82 vessels (59 LNGBVs + 23 small-scale LNG carriers) of 30,000
cubic meters or less.
According to GIIGNL, total cargo capacity at the end of 2025 stood at 136 million cubic meters.
Total operational capacity (vessels known to be in service) amounted to 131 million cubic meters.
GIIGNL noted that a total of 79 LNG carriers were delivered in 2025, compared to 67 vessels in 2024.
The number of new orders reached a total of 61 units compared to 89 new orders in 2024, it said.
At the end of 2025, the orderbook consisted of 343 units (55 million cubic meters), including 4 FSRUs and 44 LNGBVs.
GIIGNL said that the orderbook represented 42 percent of existing fleet capacity.
According to the group, 95 units on order were scheduled for delivery in 2026. (June 15, 2026, Source: https://lngprime.com/americas/giignl-lng-imports-increased-5-percent-in-2025/189337/)
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