China’s LNG imports down 4.5 percent in June

Data from the General Administration of Customs shows that the country received 5.31 million tonnes last month. This compares to 5.62 million tonnes in June 2024.

During the first six months of this year, China imported 30.11 million tonnes of LNG, a decrease of 20.6 percent compared to the same period last year.

Natural gas imports, including pipeline gas, reached 10.54 million tonnes in June.

China’s pipeline imports rose 9.1 percent year-on-year in June to 5.24 million tonnes, the data shows.

GECF noted in its June report that China’s LNG imports declined at a slower pace than in previous months.

LNG imports were lower due to higher domestic gas output, increased pipeline imports, lacklustre gas demand, and elevated spot LNG prices, GECF said.

China’s natural gas imports rose by 9.9 percent to 131.69 million tonnes in 2024, the customs data previously showed, while LNG imports increased by 7.7 percent to 76.65 million tonnes last year, with China remaining the world’s largest LNG importer.

Japan was the world’s second-largest importer of LNG last year.

However, Japan overtook China this year as the world’s biggest LNG importer.

During January-June, Japan imported 32.14 million tonnes, down by 0.8 percent year-on-year, and some 2.03 million tonnes more than China.