By Sing Yee Ong (Bloomberg) — Global exports of liquefied natural gas are projected to see their biggest increase in three years in 2025, thanks to new supplies coming from North America.

According to Kpler, a company that tracks shipping data, exports are expected to rise by 4% from last year, reaching 429 million tons. This marks the largest annual increase since 2022, when exports went up by 4.5% compared to the previous year. The growth is primarily due to projects such as LNG Canada and Plaquemines in the US increasing their output.

The US is set to solidify its position as a leading exporter, becoming the first country to ship more than 100 million tons of LNG this year. The country is anticipated to keep increasing its supply, potentially doubling its output by the end of the decade, which will further enhance exports.

This increase in supply is likely to lower gas prices in Asia and Europe. In fact, Asian prices are currently at their lowest levels in a year, while European futures have dropped over 40% since the start of the year.

The rise in output could also intensify the demand for vessels that carry this super-chilled fuel. Last month, the cost of transporting LNG across the Atlantic reached its highest point in nearly two years due to a surge in supply that increased the need for tankers.

According to Kpler, December’s export figures might hit a record of around 41 million tons. China and Japan continue to be the largest buyers, tied for first place this year, although China's total imports are about 15% lower than in 2024, as the data shows.

Egypt's LNG imports have also risen, as the country became a net importer last year. This year, Egypt is likely to import around 8.9 million tons of LNG, more than three times the amount from the previous year.

On a global scale, LNG trading volumes are expected to grow by 7.5% to 8% next year, driven by an influx of new supply and lower prices that should increase demand, according to a note from Bloomberg Intelligence.