Global maritime transport of liquefied natural gas (LNG) has recorded a volume of 435 million tons (Mt) at the close of 2025. This figure contrasts with the 360 Mt recorded five years ago and the approximately 100 Mt registered in 2000, according to data from a Clarksons report. The analysis has indicated an acceleration in activity in recent months, driven by a period of high investments in regasification plants and the construction of LNG carriers.
During the first half of 2025, annual growth has stood at 3%, a moderate figure due to delays experienced in terminal projects such as North Field in Qatar or Golden Pass in Texas. Nevertheless, the pace of transport has increased in the final stretch of the fiscal year, with an 11% increase in the fourth quarter of 2025 compared to the same period of the previous year. This dynamic has continued into early 2026, with exports reaching a maximum of 43 Mt in January, which represents a 13% increase compared to January 2025.
The United States has been the main factor behind this operational increase. In 2025, the country exported 109 Mt, representing a rise of 27% compared to 2024 and 135% higher than 2020 levels. This behavior has been linked to the operational capacity of the new Plaquemines LNG terminal in Louisiana, which has an annual production capacity of 27 Mt. From this facility alone, 6.5 Mt have been exported in the last quarter of 2025, accounting for more than half of the global sector growth during that period. This factor has been complemented by the gradual incorporation of the third phase of the Corpus Christi terminal.
With these results, the United States has positioned itself as the world's leading exporter of LNG, surpassing Qatar, which has reached 81 Mt with a rise of 4%, and Australia, which has recorded 77 Mt after a 4% decline.
In terms of demand, Europe has absorbed the increase in exports, raising its imports by 32% in the fourth quarter of 2025 due to the reduction of reserves after a winter of low temperatures. In contrast, Asia's acquisitions have shown weakness in the second half of the year, although signs of recovery have been detected. China has increased its imports by 14% in January 2026 compared to the previous year.
The report's forecasts indicate that the trend will continue until 2030. A growth of 5% in maritime LNG transport is estimated for 2025, 7% in 2026, and up to 10% in 2027, based on the commissioning of new projects in the United States and Qatar. It is expected that about 290 Mt of annual new export capacity will come online for the remainder of the decade, placing maritime transport above 700 Mt in 2030, 60% more than current levels.
Despite this increase in cargo volume, the charter market has not shown the same strength. Spot rates for 174,000 m³ LNG carriers with dual engines have averaged $35,000 per day between January and February 2026. Although this figure exceeds 2025's lows, it is 50% below ordinary seasonal levels. Clarksons has linked this situation to the high number of deliveries of new vessels and the predominance of short-distance routes. With 110 vessel deliveries projected for 2026, the analysis warns that the charter market may show weakness in the short term.