GECF says LNG imports climb in November

Last month, global LNG imports increased by 4.77 Mt year-on-year to 38.16 Mt, marking a y-o-y increase for the tenth consecutive month of annual growth.

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

The narrow price spread between European and Asian spot LNG continued to make Europe the premium destination for Atlantic-basin cargoes, particularly from the US.

Between January and November 2025, cumulative global LNG imports rose by 6.4 percent y-o-y (23.63 Mt) to 395.62 Mt, led mainly by increased demand in Europe, according to GECF.

European LNG imports jump

In November 2025, Europe’s LNG imports surged by 37 percent y-o-y (3.36 Mt) to reach 12.44 Mt, the highest level ever recorded for the month, GECF said.

According to GECF, the increase was driven by reduced pipeline gas imports and stronger intra-regional pipeline gas trade.

Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Türkiye, and the UK led the growth in regional LNG imports.

In Belgium, the Netherlands, and the UK, the increase in LNG imports was largely driven by reduced pipeline gas flows from Norway.

In Belgium, this was further supported by higher pipeline gas exports to Germany and the Netherlands, necessitating additional LNG receipts to balance supply, GECF said.

Although France and Germany received higher pipeline volumes from Norway, their LNG imports also rose as they exported more pipeline gas to neighbouring markets.

GECF said that France increased supplies to Spain and Switzerland, while Germany expanded exports to Austria, the Czech Republic, and Poland.

In Italy, declining pipeline deliveries from Algeria, together with stronger exports to Switzerland, boosted LNG purchases.

Meanwhile, Türkiye’s LNG imports strengthened mainly due to higher seasonal demand amid colder-than-usual weather conditions.

From January to November 2025, Europe’s aggregated LNG imports reached 117.97 Mt,
representing an increase of 31 percent (27.77 Mt) y-o-y.

Asia Pacific LNG imports up

In November 2025, Asia Pacific recorded an uptick in its LNG imports, growing by 4.1 percent (0.91Mt) y-o-y to 23.25 Mt, GECF said.

India, Japan, Singapore, Taiwan, and Thailand drove the increase while China’s LNG imports were slightly lower compared to a year earlier, GECF said.

The increase in India’s LNG imports was driven by weaker domestic gas production.

In Japan, restocking ahead of peak winter demand supported higher LNG inflows, GECF said.

Singapore recorded a rise in LNG imports due to growing LNG bunkering activity and stronger demand for power generation.

Similarly, higher consumption in Taiwan’s power sector, linked to the phase-out of nuclear power, pushed its LNG imports higher, GECF said.

After six months of subdued demand, Thailand also posted a notable rebound in LNG purchases.

Meanwhile, China’s LNG imports remained subdued in November as industrial demand stayed weak and storage inventories remained high, GECF said.

Between January and November 2025, Asia Pacific’s aggregated LNG imports fell by 3.4 percent (8.80 Mt) y-o-y to reach 246.95 Mt.

Latin America and MENA

GECF said that LNG imports in the Latin America & the Caribbean region dropped by 16 percent (0.21 Mt) y-o-y to reach 1.07 Mt.

The weaker LNG imports were driven mainly by Jamaica and to a lesser extent from Brazil and the US Virgin Islands.

GECF said that Jamaica did not receive any LNG cargo in November.

The country was severely affected by Hurricane Melissa, which caused catastrophic damage and widespread power outages. Full restoration of electricity supply is expected to take several months.

From January to November 2025, aggregated LNG imports in the LAC region reached 12.16
Mt, representing a decline of 13 percent (1.88 Mt) y-o-y.

On the other hand, LNG imports in the MENA region more than doubled increasing by 0.71
Mt to reach 1.39 Mt.

GECF said that Egypt remained the main driver of this increase, underpinned by lower domestic gas production and robust gas demand.

Between January and November 2025, aggregated LNG imports in the MENA surged by 65 percent (6.90 Mt) y-o-y to 17.53 Mt.

LNG exports hit new record

GECF said that global LNG exports surged by 15 percent (5.23 Mt) y-o-y to reach an all-time high of 39.79 Mt, just shy of the 40 Mt mark.

The increase was driven primarily by non-GECF countries, with GECF member countries contributing to a lesser extent, offsetting weaker LNG re-exports.

Between January and November 2025, cumulative global LNG exports reached 397.56 Mt,
representing a sharp increase of 6.7 percent (24.91 Mt) y-o-y.

GECF said the bulk of this growth was led by non-GECF countries, while GECF member countries also added incremental volumes.

During the same period, LNG re-exports recorded a slight decline.

The share of LNG exports from non-GECF countries increased sharply from 51.6 percent in
November 2024 to 56.4 percent in November 2025.

Conversely, the shares of GECF member countries and LNG re-exports declined from 47 percent and 1.4 percent to 43.2 percent and 0.4 percent, respectively.

GECF said the US, Australia, and Qatar remained the top three LNG exporters during the month.