Global LNG trade increases by 8.3 pct in 2018

ANKARA (AA) - Global LNG imports increased by 8.3 percent to 313.8 million tonnes in 2018 year on year, according to the latest report of the International Group of Liquefied Natural Gas Importers (GIIGNL) on Wednesday. According to statistics compiled from the report by the Anadolu Agency, global LNG imports increased by 23.9 million tonnes in 2018, the third largest annual increase after 2010 and 2017. One new country - Cameroon - began LNG exports in 2018, raising the number of exporting countries to 20. In addition, two new countries, Bangladesh and Panama, imported LNG for the first time bringing the total number of importing countries to 42. The report said that 99.3 million tonnes of LNG were imported on a spot or short-term basis. Out of global LNG demand, 76 percent came from Asia, led by Japan, China and South Korea. Asian countries imported a total of 238.6 million tonnes of LNG. Japan imported 82.5 million tonnes, and China received 54 million tonnes. "As in 2017, policy choices in the Asia-Pacific region largely drove the growth in LNG imports, fostered by measures to improve air quality in China," the report said. Qatar was the main exporter of LNG in 2018 with 76.8 million tonnes, while Australia, Malaysia and the U.S. followed Qatar.