The CESI Beihai LNG carrier at the Beihai LNG terminal in China
China’s LNG fleet growth to change the global market
Chinese firms may be poised to move into trading, amid a burgeoning glut of supply and capacity
China’s two biggest LNG importers are working to expand their tanker fleets for shipping the fuel around the world, a construction drive that could increase their trading power on the global market but also put them in competition with the world's biggest energy traders. The investment to expand LNG shipping capacity by state-controlled CNOOC and PetroChina comes amid an acceleration in China’s LNG import growth this year, with purchases in the first five months rising by 18.1% year-on-year, to 32.42mt. China regained its former status as the world’s largest LNG importer last year, when volumes climbed by 12.6%, to 71.32mt, after a decline due to the pandemic. CNOOC, China’s biggest LNG impo
Also in this section
13 January 2026
Across Europe, countries have grappled with balancing ambitious energy transition plans with realities about security of supply
13 January 2026
The country’s hydrocarbon resources offer a strategic and social opportunity that could see it becoming a leading light in Africa
13 January 2026
Government reforms are restoring investor confidence in the country’s oil and gas industry
12 January 2026
Gulf Keystone looks to a ‘transformational’ 2026, with the oil producer upbeat for the region should all the vested interests keep their eyes on the prize
