Global liquefied natural gas (LNG) trade reached a record 437 million tonnes in 2025, marking a 6.3% increase from the previous year, according to a new report from the International Gas Union (IGU).
The United States emerged as the primary driver of this expansion, accounting for the largest share of the growth in global volumes.
Shell has previously forecast that global LNG demand could rise by approximately 65% by 2050, reaching nearly 700 million metric tons annually.
The surge in trade volumes highlights the accelerating transformation of the global energy landscape, with American exports increasingly filling demand gaps in Europe and Asia.
This shift reinforces the US position as a dominant force in the international gas market, altering traditional supply chains and pricing dynamics.
The record trade figures align with long-term demand projections from major energy companies.
Shell has previously forecast that global LNG demand could rise by approximately 65% by 2050, reaching nearly 700 million metric tons annually.