GECF: LNG imports surge in June

Last month, global LNG imports increased by 3 Mt year-on-year to 34.84 Mt, marking a y-o-y increase for the fifth consecutive month of annual growth.

Doha-based GECF said this growth was primarily driven by Europe and, to a lesser extent, the MENA region, which together offset weaker imports from other regions.

Although the Asia spot LNG price maintained a premium over the TTF month-ahead price, the netback price for US LNG deliveries into Europe remained higher than for Asia Pacific, supporting the continued influx of US LNG into Europe.

During the first six months of this year, global LNG imports rose by 4.1 percent y-o-y (8.43 Mt) to 214.57 Mt, mainly supported by stronger European demand, GECF said.

European LNG imports continue to increase

In June 2025, Europe’s LNG imports continued its strong growth, rising by 41 percent (9.48 Mt) y-o-y to 10.08 Mt, registering a record high for June, according to GECF.

GECF said the jump in European LNG imports was driven by a combination of lower pipeline gas imports, stronger gas demand for reinjection into underground gas storage and weaker domestic gas production.

At a country level, Belgium, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, the Netherlands, and Spain led the increase in the region’s LNG imports.

In H1 2025, Europe’s LNG imports jumped by 26 percent (13.84 Mt) y-o-y to reach 67.97 Mt and is on track to reach a record high for the full year, GECF said.

In Belgium, the rise was driven by higher gas injections into storage and increased pipeline gas exports to neighbouring countries.

France saw similar trends, with reduced pipeline gas imports, greater storage injection, and higher pipeline gas exports supporting LNG import growth.

Germany also recorded a notable increase, supported by robust storage injections and elevated pipeline gas exports.

In Greece, higher domestic gas consumption and a decline in pipeline gas imports contributed to the uptick.

Italy’s LNG imports grew on the back of rising gas demand, increased storage reinjection, lower pipeline gas imports, and stronger pipeline gas exports.

GECF said the Netherlands followed suit, with declining pipeline gas imports, increased storage injection, and higher pipeline gas exports bolstering LNG inflows.

Lastly, Spain’s increase was attributed to stronger gas consumption and reduced pipeline gas imports.

Asia Pacific LNG imports drop

GECF said that LNG imports in the Asia Pacific region totaled 21.93 Mt in June, representing a y-o-y decline of 0.7 percent (0.16 Mt).

However, GECF noted that the decrease was less pronounced compared to previous months.

The decline was driven by lower imports in China, India and Thailand, partially offset by higher imports in Bangladesh, Japan, and Taiwan, GECF said.

During H1 2025, Asia Pacific’s LNG imports dropped by 5 percent (7.03 Mt) y-o-y to 132.97 Mt.

China’s LNG imports declined in June, though at a slower pace than in previous months, due to higher domestic gas output, increased pipeline imports, lacklustre gas demand, and elevated spot LNG prices, GECF said.

In India and Thailand, an early monsoon reduced cooling needs, contributing to lower LNG imports, with high spot prices further weighing on India’s LNG imports, GECF said.

In contrast, Bangladesh’s LNG imports rose, supported by both FSRUs operating this year versus one being offline a year ago.

GECF said that Japan’s LNG imports increased on the back of stronger power sector demand and pre-summer LNG restocking, while Taiwan’s rise was driven by increased gas demand in the power sector amidst its nuclear phase-out.

Latin America and MENA

LNG imports in the Latin America & the Caribbean region reached 1.30 Mt in June, representing a small decline of 1.9 percent (0.03 Mt) y-o-y.

GECF said the stronger LNG imports were driven by Argentina and Colombia, which offset a significant decline in Brazil’s LNG imports.

In H1 2025, LNG imports in the LAC region declined by 14 percent (0.99 Mt) y-o-y to 6.28 Mt.

GECF said Argentina increased its LNG imports in June, as a mild start to the winter delayed cargo deliveries from May.

An LNG cargo originally scheduled for delivery in May was diverted to Colombia.

In Colombia, rising LNG imports helped compensate for falling domestic gas production.

In contrast, Brazil’s LNG imports declined due to stronger domestic gas production, GECF said.

On the other hand, the MENA region’s LNG imports jumped by 36 percent (0.40 Mt) y-o-y to reach 1.52 Mt, supported by stronger imports in Bahrain and Egypt.

During H1 2025, the MENA region’s LNG imports surged by 79 percent (3 Mt) y-o-y to 6.81 Mt, GECF said.

Bahrain continues to ramp up its LNG imports following the resumption of imports in April.

Meanwhile, Egypt’s increased LNG imports have compensated for lower domestic gas supply. GECF said.

LNG exports climb

GECF said that global LNG exports increased by 4.8 percent (1.56 Mt) y-o-y to reach 34.33 Mt, marking a record high for LNG exports in the month of June.

GECF member countries led the increase, followed by smaller gains from non-GECF countries and LNG re-exports.

During H1 2025, global LNG exports reached 213.41 Mt, representing growth of 4.1 percent (8.40 Mt) y-o-y, driven mainly by stronger exports from non-GECF countries, with GECF member countries and LNG re-exports contributing to a lesser extent.

Non-GECF countries maintained their dominance in global LNG exports with a market share of 53 percent, slightly down from 53.6 percent a year earlier.

Meanwhile, GECF member countries and LNG re-exports accounted for 46.5 percent and 0. percent, up from 46.1 percent and 0.3 percent, respectively, in June,

GECF said the US, Qatar, and Australia retained their positions as the top three LNG exporters in June.