GECF says December LNG imports hit new record

Doha-based GECF said Europe remained the primary driver of this growth, with Asia Pacific, the MENA region, and North America contributing to a lesser extent.

In contrast, LNG imports in the Latin America & the Caribbean region declined.

According to GECF, Europe also continued to serve as the most attractive market for US LNG exports, supported by higher netbacks compared to Asia.

GECF did not provide data for the full-year 2025.

Based on its previous reports, cumulative global LNG imports reached 437.55 Mt last year.

This is a 6.5 percent rise compared to 411 Mt in 2024.

European LNG imports jump

In December 2025, Europe’s LNG imports rose sharply by 19 percent (2.04 Mt) y-o-y to 12.99 Mt, marking the second-highest monthly total ever, surpassed only by December 2022, GECF said.

The increase was driven primarily by reduced pipeline gas inflows, while the narrow LNG price spread between Asia Pacific and Europe continued to make Europe the preferred destination for US cargoes.

At the country level, Belgium, Germany, Greece, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain, and Türkiye accounted for most of the growth, more than offsetting a decline in UK imports, GECF said.

Belgium increased its LNG imports to re-export regasified volumes to neighbouring countries, which compensated for their reduced pipeline gas imports.

Germany showed a similar pattern, with higher LNG imports driven by lower pipeline gas imports and additional re-export of regasified LNG to neighbouring countries.

Greece’s LNG imports reached a monthly record high, supported by expanded regasification capacity and the country’s growing role as a gas hub in South-East Europe.

In Italy and the Netherlands, a decline in pipeline gas imports, combined with falling domestic production, boosted LNG import requirements, while stronger gas consumption in the Netherlands provided further support, GECF said.

Poland’s LNG imports also rose due to higher domestic gas consumption and increased regasified LNG exports to neighbouring markets. In Spain, LNG imports offset reduced pipeline gas imports and supported expanded gas exports to Morocco.

Turkiye recorded a significant uptick in LNG imports, largely reflecting stronger domestic gas consumption.

In contrast, the UK saw LNG imports fall, owing to higher pipeline gas imports and weaker gas demand, GECF said.

Asia Pacific LNG imports up

GECF said that Asia Pacific’s LNG imports increased for the second consecutive month, rising by 4.3 percent (1.09 Mt) y-o-y to 26.54 Mt.

The increase was driven by India, Indonesia, Malaysia and South Korea, which offset declines in Japan and Pakistan, according to GECF.

GECF said that China’s LNG imports have stabilised and were relatively unchanged from December 2024.

India’s LNG imports increased due to softer spot LNG prices, as the country’s buyers remain highly price-sensitive, it said.

In Indonesia and Malaysia, stronger intra-country LNG movements supported higher imports, with Indonesia recently prioritising domestic gas demand, GECF said.

GECF said that South Korea recorded a sharp rise in LNG imports, driven by several cargoes diverted away from China, a market currently well supplied, and expectations of a cold snap at the end of December.

In contrast, Japan’s LNG imports declined due to weaker gas demand in the power sector, driven by milder winter temperatures and higher nuclear availability, GECF said.

Pakistan also saw a steep drop in LNG imports, reflecting lower gas demand from both the electricity and industrial sectors.

Latin America and MENA

GECF said that LNG imports in the LAC region continued to slide, falling by 31 percent (0.26 Mt) y-o-y to 0.59 Mt, which is the lowest level since December 2023.

This decline was driven mainly by Jamaica as well as Colombia and the Dominican Republic.

GECF said the extensive damage caused by Hurricane Melissa to energy infrastructure in Jamaica and the Dominican Republic reduced gas demand for power generation, leading to lower LNG imports.

In Colombia, the decline in LNG imports was likely driven by higher hydroelectric
output, which reduced the need for gas-fired generation.

On the other hand, LNG imports in the MENA surged by 136 percent (0.81 Mt) y-o-y to 1.41 Mt, marking a record high for the month, GECF said.

The increase was driven primarily by Egypt, where LNG imports helped bridge the gap between domestic gas production and domestic gas demand.

LNG exports hit new record

GECF said that global LNG exports grew by 8.3 percent (3.11 Mt) y-o-y to reach a record 40.51 Mt in December—the first time monthly exports have exceeded the 40 Mt mark.

Non-GECF countries led this expansion, offsetting a slight decline in exports from GECF member countries and a slowdown in LNG re-exports.

GECF said the share of LNG exports from non-GECF countries rose sharply from 52.6 percent in December 2024 to 57.4 percent in December 2025.

Conversely, the shares of GECF member countries and LNG re-exports declined over the same period, falling from 45.9 percent to 42.2 percent and from 1.5 percent to 0.4 percent, respectively.

GECF added that the US, Australia, and Qatar remained the top three LNG exporters.