World LNG Report 2026

The Global LNG Trade Reaches a Record High as the Industry Demonstrates Resilience Amid Geopolitical Turbulence

The 2026 edition of the International Gas Union’s (IGU) World LNG Report released today shows record trade, near-record investment and a strong long-term growth outlook despite unprecedented market disruption.

The global liquefied natural gas (LNG) trade reached a record of 437 million tonnes in 2025, with a 6.3% increase – the strongest growth since 2022, while investment in new LNG supply surged to its highest level in six years. Trade growth was driven by expanding supplies from the United States, Qatar and other producers, while Canada and Mauritania/Senegal joined the ranks of LNG-exporting nations for the first time.

The Report reveals an industry entering a new phase of maturity and resilience, having successfully responded to one of the most challenging periods in its history while continuing to expand its role in supporting global energy security, economic development and emissions reduction.

The 2026 World LNG Report also highlights a remarkable wave of investment confidence across the sector. A total of 68.4 million tonnes per annum (Mtpa) of liquefaction capacity reached final investment decision in 2025, making it the strongest year for project approvals since 2019 and capping a five-year investment cycle that approved 206 Mtpa of new capacity.

While the LNG industry entered 2026 against a backdrop of escalating conflict in the Middle East and disruption to critical supply infrastructure, the Report finds that the global LNG market has demonstrated a level of flexibility and resilience not seen during previous energy crises.

The ability to redirect cargoes, utilise a growing spot market and leverage increasingly liquid trading hubs helped contain the impact of supply disruptions and maintain energy supplies to consuming markets. The Report concludes that while the LNG industry is not immune from the challenges of operating in an era of heightened geopolitical uncertainty, its unique ability to re-distribute large quantities of clean-burning energy from a broadening supply base only enhance LNG's role as a "shock absorber" to the global economy.

LNG demand fundamentals remain robust through 2035, underpinned by population growth, urbanisation, industrialisation, rising electricity consumption, digitalisation and the rapid expansion of data centres and artificial intelligence infrastructure. Global liquefaction capacity under construction and approved for development is expected to drive significant supply growth through the end of the decade, helping to meet increasing demand across both mature and emerging economies.

Some of the Report's key findings are:

• The United States remained the world's largest LNG exporter, supplying 110.7 million tonnes.

• Europe recorded the strongest growth in LNG imports, increasing by 26.1 million tonnes as the region continued to strengthen its energy security and diversify its Gas supplies.

• The global liquefaction capacity reached 524.5 Mtpa by the end of 2025.

• The LNG regasification capacity expanded to 1,1113.5 Mtpa across 50 importing markets.

• LNG bunkering continued rapid growth, supported by tightening maritime emissions regulations and increasing demand for low-emission marine fuels.

• More than 1,100 Mtpa of proposed liquefaction capacity remains under development globally, highlighting the scale of future growth opportunities.

Mr Menelaos (Mel) Ydreos, the Secretary General of IGU, said:

“The World LNG Report also identifies emerging opportunities that could further strengthen the LNG sector, including a growing electricity demand, the expansion of LNG into frontier markets, the increasing adoption of floating LNG technologies and innovation aimed at reducing emissions across the entire LNG value chain.

Continued investment, supportive policy frameworks and secure global trade routes will be essential to maintaining market stability and ensuring that LNG can continue to provide reliable, affordable and low-emission energy to billions of people worldwide.

As global energy demand continues to grow, LNG is well positioned to remain a cornerstone of the global energy system, supporting energy security, affordability and flexibility throughout the energy transition.”

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For more information on the 2026 World LNG Report, please contact Mr Mark McCrory, IGU Policy and Analysis Director, at mark.mccrory@igu.org or Mr Simon Ellis, Senior Advisor, Policy & Advocacy at simon.ellis@igu.org.