AsiaGasGreater China

China surpassing Japan as the world’s top importer of LNG

China will pass Japan as the world’s largest importer of LNG in the coming months, new analysis from ICIS LNG Edge shows, adding to a long list of commodities where the People’s Republic ranks as the number one consumer.

In the 12 months from June 2020 to May, China imported 76.27m tonnes of LNG, just behind Japan’s 76.32m tonnes, ICIS Edge data shows.

China’s 2021 total LNG demand is now estimated at 81.2m tonnes, above 75.2 m tonnes for Japan, a nation that has been busy reactivating nuclear power plants of late.

“Strong economic performance, supportive government regulation and investment in LNG and gas infrastructure have led to an extended period of growth for China’s LNG demand,” ICIS LNG Edge said in a note.

Sam Chambers

Starting out with the Informa Group in 2000 in Hong Kong, Sam Chambers became editor of Maritime Asia magazine as well as East Asia Editor for the world’s oldest newspaper, Lloyd’s List. In 2005 he pursued a freelance career and wrote for a variety of titles including taking on the role of Asia Editor at Seatrade magazine and China correspondent for Supply Chain Asia. His work has also appeared in The Economist, The New York Times, The Sunday Times and The International Herald Tribune.
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