GECF: LNG imports down in June

Doha-based GECF said the decline was driven primarily by lower LNG imports in Europe, while stronger imports in Asia and the Middle East and Africa (MEA) partially offset the global decrease.

The weaker import volumes reflected tighter global LNG supply resulting from the continued restrictions on LNG transit through the Strait of Hormuz amid the Middle East conflict.

For the period January to June 2026, global LNG imports grew by 1.1 percent y-o-y (2.39 Mt) to reach 215.64 Mt, supported mainly by stronger LNG imports in the MEA, GECF said.

European LNG imports drop for fourth consecutive month

In May, Europe’s LNG imports declined for the fourth consecutive month on a y-o-y basis, falling sharply by 21 percent (2.13 Mt) to 7.89 Mt, according to GECF.

The decline reflected tighter global LNG supply following continued disruptions to LNG transit through the Strait of Hormuz amid the Middle East conflict.

As a result, the wide spot LNG price premium in Asia over Europe encouraged the diversion of Atlantic Basin LNG cargoes, particularly from the US and West Africa, away from Europe and towards higher-netback Asian markets, GECF said.

At the country level, Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain, and Turkiye accounted for most of the regional decline, while Lithuania and Portugal recorded significant increases.

GECF noted that the decline in Belgium’s LNG imports was driven by lower volumes from Nigeria, Russia, and Senegal.

Meanwhile, reduced imports from the US accounted for much of the decline in France, Germany, the Netherlands, Spain, and Turkiye, GECF said.

Lower imports from Algeria also weighed on LNG imports in Italy and Spain, while weaker deliveries from Angola and Nigeria contributed to the declines in Spain and France, respectively.

In contrast, Lithuania increased its LNG imports from Norway, while Portugal recorded higher imports from Nigeria, Russia, and the US.

For the period January to June 2026, Europe’s LNG imports rose by 0.5 percent y-o-y (0.33 Mt) to 68.21 Mt, GECF said.

Asian LNG imports climb

GECF said that Asia recorded its first y-o-y increase in LNG imports since February 2026, with imports rising by 2.3 percent (0.50 Mt) to 22.02 Mt.

The increase came despite tighter global LNG supply resulting from lower exports from Qatar and the UAE amid continued restrictions on LNG transit through the Strait of Hormuz, it said.

Stronger LNG imports by China, India, Indonesia, and Thailand more than offset weaker imports in Japan and Pakistan, driving the region’s overall growth.

GECF said China recorded its first y-o-y increase in LNG imports since January, driven primarily by LNG restocking ahead of the peak summer season amid stable pipeline gas imports.

In India, stronger gas demand from the power sector, coupled with lower domestic gas production, boosted LNG imports, GECF said.

Indonesia’s LNG imports reached a record high, reflecting increased intra-country LNG trade to meet rising domestic gas demand, it said.

Thailand also increased its LNG imports, supported by robust gas demand and declining pipeline gas imports.

In contrast, Japan’s LNG imports declined due to partial gas to coal switching in the power sector, while Pakistan’s imports remained constrained by the ongoing impact of the Middle East conflict, GECF said.

For the period January to June 2026, Asia’s LNG imports fell by 0.5 percent (0.67 Mt) y-o-y to 131.01 Mt, according to GECF.

Latin America and MEA

GECF said that LNG imports in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) rose marginally by 3.2 percent (0.04 Mt) y-o-y to 1.33 Mt in June.

The increase was driven primarily by stronger LNG imports in Brazil, which more than offset lower imports in Chile and El Salvador.

Brazil’s LNG imports were supported by higher gas demand from the power sector following the recent commissioning of the 1.7 GW GNA II gas-fired power plant, GECF said.

In contrast, Chile’s LNG imports declined due to stronger renewable power generation and higher pipeline gas imports from Argentina.

Meanwhile, lower LNG deliveries from Trinidad and Tobago contributed to the decline in El Salvador’s LNG imports, GECF said.

For the period January to June 2026, LAC’s LNG imports increased slightly by 0.6 percent (0.03 Mt) y-o-y to reach 6.29 Mt, it said.

On the other hand, LNG imports in the MEA rebounded following a decline in May, increasing by 35 percent (0.52 Mt) y-o-y to 2.04 Mt, according to GECF.

The recovery was driven primarily by stronger LNG imports into Egypt, which more than offset lower imports in Bahrain and Kuwait.

Egypt’s higher LNG imports reflected declining domestic gas availability, while Kuwait’s imports remained constrained by the impact of the Middle East conflict, GECF said.

For the period January-June 2026, MEA’s LNG imports rose by 31 percent (2.15 Mt) y-o-y to 9.03 Mt, it said.

LNG exports slightly down

In June, global LNG exports edged down by 0.5 percent (0.17 Mt) y-o-y to 33.58 Mt, marking a slower pace of decline compared with previous months, GECF said.

GECF noted that the decrease was mainly driven by continued restrictions on LNG transit through the Strait of Hormuz amid the Middle
East conflict.

Higher exports from non-GECF countries almost fully offset lower exports from GECF member countries and weaker LNG re-exports.

The US, Australia, and Russia were the world’s largest LNG exporters during the month.

As a result, non-GECF countries’ share of global LNG supply rose sharply from 52.9 percent in June 2025 to 67.8 percent in June 2026, while the shares of GECF member countries and LNG re-exports declined to 32 percent and 0.2 percent, respectively, GECF said.

For the period January to June 2026, global LNG exports increased slightly by 1.3 percent (2.80 Mt) y-o-y to 214.37 Mt, supported by stronger exports from non-GECF countries, GECF added.