February 25, 2026 (Bloomberg) – Australia is now sending liquefied natural gas (LNG) to destinations much farther away than its main buyers in Asia, as demand for this chilled fuel weakens in the region.

Eastern Canada is preparing to receive its first shipment of LNG from Australia aboard the Maran Gas Hector on Thursday. According to ship-tracking data from Kpler, which has records dating back to 2008, this journey is quite lengthy, with the tanker covering approximately 16,000 miles (25,750 kilometers) to reach its destination.

This shipment is part of Australia’s efforts to seek new buyers for its uncontracted LNG, moving beyond its traditional markets in China, Japan, and other Asian countries. Recently, a shipment reached Turkey, marking the first delivery there since at least 2017, based on Bloomberg's data, while another cargo was sent to Chile earlier this year.

Demand for LNG in Asia remains low, with shipments to China—the largest importer— falling by 11% in 2025. Some buyers in China are opting to resell their cargoes, which contributes to the reduced spot demand from Japan, South Korea, and Taiwan.

In contrast, Europe has become a more appealing market, competing with Asia for LNG supplies. January saw European imports surge to a 10-month high due to an unusually cold winter.