China’s LNG imports continue to rise

China, the world’s largest liquefied natural gas importer, increased its LNG imports by 31.5 percent in April compared to the same month last year, according to customs data.

Data from the General Administration of Customs shows that the country received 6.22 million tonnes during the last month.

During January-April, China imported 25.91 million tonnes of LNG, a rise of 22.7 percent year-on-year.

This also compares to 26.2 million tonnes China imported during January-April in 2021, which was a record year for China’s LNG imports with 78.93 million tonnes.

In January this year, China’s LNG import terminals took 7.25 million tonnes of LNG, up by 22.9 percent year-on-year, in February LNG imports rose by 15.2 percent to 5.95 million tonnes, while in March LNG imports increased by 25.1 percent to 6.65 million tonnes, customs data previously showed.

Natural gas imports, including pipeline gas, during the last month reached 10.29 million tonnes in April, rising 14.7 percent compared to some 8.97 million tonnes in April 2023

China’s pipeline imports dropped 3.2 percent year-on-year in April to some 4.07 million tonnes.

Chinese buyers were buying spot LNG cargoes during this year due to low JKM prices.

Asian spot LNG prices were below $10 per MMBtu from the second half of January and until the second half of April.

JKM for July is currently at about $11 per MMBtu.

World’s largest LNG importer

China’s LNG imports rose 12.6 percent in 2023, and the country overtook Japan as the world’s largest LNG importer.

The country received about 71.32 million tonnes in the January-December period.

This is a rise compared to about 63.44 million tonnes of LNG in 2022 when imports dropped due to very high spot LNG prices and Covid lockdowns.

China’s 2023 LNG imports dropped compared to record in 2021.

In 2024, Japan imported about 17.7 million tonnes during January-March, down by some 2.08 million tonnes compared to China’s volumes.

Official data for Japan’s LNG imports in April is not yet available.

Most Popular

Aramco eyes large LNG portfolio

Aramco's long-term ambition is to have a portfolio of 20 million tonnes per annum (mtpa) of LNG capacity, according to Aramco’s CEO, Amin Nasser.

Argentina’s Southern Energy takes FID on second FLNG

Argentina's Southern Energy takes FID on second FLNG

Energy Transfer in advanced talks to sell remaining Lake Charles LNG volumes

Texas-based Energy Transfer is in advanced discussions for the sale of the remaining offtake volumes from its proposed Lake Charles LNG export facility in Louisiana, according to its management.

More News Like This

China’s gas imports down in July

China's natural gas imports, including pipeline gas and LNG, dropped by 2.1 percent last month compared to July 2024, according to customs data.

Yangzijiang wraps up roof raising on two LNG storage tanks

Chinese private shipyard Yangzijiang Shipbuilding has completed raising the roofs on two LNG storage tanks at its Yangzi Jiasheng terminal.

IEA: global LNG trade up 4 percent in H1

Global LNG trade growth accelerated to 4 percent (12 bcm) in the first half of 2025, with exporters adding about 60 percent more LNG supply to the market than was added in the whole of 2024, according to a new report by the International Energy Agency.

China’s LNG imports down 4.5 percent in June

China reported a 4.5 percent drop in its LNG imports in June, while its pipeline gas imports increased by 9.1 percent compared to the same month last year.