LNG key figures

LNG currently accounts for more than 30% of international trade in natural gas. Demand is constantly growing. The success of LNG is largely due to its greater flexibility compared to pipeline transportation: LNG tankers can sail to many receiving terminals and conversely, a receiving terminal can accommodate ships from different countries.

Worldwide, the LNG industry consists of:

• 21 LNG exporting countries on five continents. Qatar and Ausrtralia are the clear world leaders in LNG production, while USA, Russia, Malaysia and Nigeria are significant players. The total annual production capacity of LNG reached 487 million tons a year in 2019.
• LNG receiving terminals and regasification plants in 42 countries on four continents. In 2019, the global LNG import market was 354.7 million tons. China, India, South Korea and Japan are the leading importers of LNG. In Europe the biggest importers are Spain, The Netherlands, UK and Italy. The overall regasification capacity was 920 million tons a year at the end of 2019.

Currently, 601 LNG tankers are in service worldwide. Their total transport capacity is 86 million cubic meters and growing.

Source: International Group of Liquefied Natural Gas Importers (GIIGNL), 2020