LNG Terminal Market – Global Industry Size, Share, Trends, Opportunity, and Forecast, Segmented By Type (Liquefaction, Regasification), By Location (Onshore, Floating Storage & Regasification Units), By Applications (Bunkering, Captive), By Region & Competition, 2021-2031F

Forecast Period	2027-2031
Market Size (2025)	USD 9.01 Billion
CAGR (2026-2031)	11.02%
Fastest Growing Segment	Bunkering
Largest Market	Asia Pacific
Market Size (2031)	USD 16.87 Billion

Market Overview

The Global LNG Terminal Market will grow from USD 9.01 Billion in 2025 to USD 16.87 Billion by 2031 at a 11.02% CAGR. Liquefied Natural Gas terminals are specialized infrastructure assets designed to liquefy natural gas for maritime transport or regasify imported cargoes for distribution into local energy grids. The market is primarily driven by the heightening focus on national energy security and the strategic shift toward lower-carbon fuels which necessitates flexible gas supplies to complement intermittent renewable energy sources. According to the International Gas Union, in 2024, global liquefied natural gas trade reached 411.24 million tonnes. This figure underscores the critical role these facilities play in balancing international energy discrepancies.

Despite this upward trajectory, the market faces a significant impediment regarding the substantial capital requirements and prolonged project development timelines. The immense financial investment needed for greenfield projects combined with stringent environmental regulations frequently delays final investment decisions and creates uncertainty for stakeholders aiming to expand global infrastructure capacity.

Key Market Drivers

Heightened focus on national energy security and supply diversification is the foremost catalyst currently reshaping the Global LNG Terminal Market. Governments, particularly in Europe, are rapidly mitigating reliance on pipeline gas by commissioning new import infrastructure to ensure energy resilience against geopolitical disruptions. This strategic urgency has led to a surge in regasification capacity development as nations prioritize the ability to access alternative fuel sources from the global market. According to the International Gas Union, June 2024, in the 'World LNG Report 2024', Europe commissioned approximately 30 million tonnes per annum of new receiving capacity in 2023 to secure its energy supply. This aggressive pivot toward diversification necessitates flexible and rapid infrastructure deployment, directly stimulating investment in both onshore terminals and floating units.

The expansion of liquefaction capacity in major natural gas exporting nations serves as a parallel driver, necessitating a robust downstream terminal network to handle increased cargo flows. As producers in North America and the Middle East scale up operations, the entire value chain must expand to absorb this incoming wave of supply. According to GIIGNL, June 2024, in the '2024 Annual Report', roughly 58 million tonnes per annum of new liquefaction capacity reached the Final Investment Decision stage in 2023, indicating a significant future increase in export availability. This supply-side growth aligns with long-term consumption trends that underpin the need for terminal projects. According to Shell, February 2024, in the 'LNG Outlook 2024', global demand for liquefied natural gas is projected to grow by more than 50 percent by 2040, confirming the critical requirement for sustained investment in global terminal capabilities to balance this expanding trade.

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Key Market Challenges

The substantial capital requirements and prolonged project development timelines present a formidable barrier to the growth of the Global LNG Terminal Market. Developing these large-scale infrastructure assets demands immense upfront financial commitments and adherence to rigorous environmental and safety standards, which complicates the path to project sanctioning. Consequently, the high costs and regulatory uncertainties frequently deter investors, leading to postponed investment approvals and a stagnation in the expansion of essential liquefaction and regasification facilities. This inability to rapidly scale infrastructure limits the market's capacity to respond effectively to shifting energy needs and creates significant supply-side risks.

The impact of this financial and regulatory strain is quantifiable in recent industry performance. According to the International Gas Union, in 2024, only 14.8 million tonnes per annum of new liquefaction capacity reached the final investment decision stage. This represents a sharp decline in project approvals compared to previous years, signaling a potential contraction in future supply availability. Such a slowdown in capacity addition threatens to create supply-demand imbalances, as the development of new terminals fails to align with the trajectory of global natural gas consumption.

Key Market Trends

The Integration of Carbon Capture, Utilization, and Storage (CCUS) Technologies is becoming a defining trend as operators seek to decarbonize liquefaction and regasification processes to meet stringent environmental standards. Market stakeholders are increasingly embedding capture units directly into terminal infrastructure to reduce the carbon intensity of the fuel supply and ensure regulatory compliance in environmentally sensitive import regions. This technological shift allows facilities to market lower-carbon cargoes, differentiating their portfolios in a competitive energy landscape while addressing Scope 1 and 2 emissions. According to Carbon Herald, October 2025, in the article 'QatarEnergy To Capture 11 Million Tons Of CO2 Annually By 2035', QatarEnergy is targeting an expansion of its carbon capture and storage capacity to over 11 million tonnes per annum by 2035 to sequester emissions directly from its LNG production facilities.

Simultaneously, the Expansion of LNG Bunkering and Truck Loading Services at Terminals is transforming traditional import facilities into multi-functional logistics hubs capable of serving the maritime and heavy transport sectors. Terminals are retrofitting existing jetties or constructing dedicated small-scale berths to accommodate bunker vessels, responding to the shipping industry’s rapid transition away from heavy fuel oil. This diversification allows terminal operators to bypass pipeline constraints and deliver fuel directly to off-grid end-users and shipping fleets, creating new revenue streams beyond grid distribution. According to SEA-LNG, January 2025, in the 'View from the Bridge' report, the global fleet of LNG-fuelled vessels in operation increased by 33 percent in 2024 to reach 638 ships, a surge that is directly driving the requirement for enhanced bunkering capabilities at major terminals.

Segmental Insights

The Bunkering segment is currently emerging as the fastest-growing category within the Global LNG Terminal Market, primarily driven by the maritime industry’s accelerated shift toward cleaner fuel alternatives. This rapid expansion is largely attributed to stringent environmental mandates enforced by the International Maritime Organization, which require significant reductions in sulphur oxide emissions from vessels. As shipping operators increasingly transition to liquefied natural gas to ensure compliance, the demand for specialized bunkering infrastructure at terminals has risen substantially. Consequently, terminal operators are prioritizing the development of dedicated fueling facilities to support the expanding global fleet of LNG-powered ships.

Regional Insights

The Asia Pacific region holds the leading position in the Global LNG Terminal Market, driven by extensive investments in import infrastructure to meet escalating energy requirements. Major economies such as China, India, and Japan are actively expanding their regasification capacities to support industrial growth and transition toward cleaner fuel sources. According to the International Energy Agency, the region accounts for a significant portion of global gas demand growth, necessitating robust terminal development. This dominance is further supported by favorable government policies aiming to diversify energy portfolios and ensure supply security for growing urban populations.

Recent Developments

• In October 2024, TotalEnergies announced its intention to approve the construction of the Matola LNG import terminal in Mozambique. The project, which is being developed in collaboration with Gigajoule, was designed to import up to 2.5 million tons of liquefied natural gas annually to supply industrial customers in South Africa and Mozambique. The terminal was positioned as a critical infrastructure solution to address potential energy shortages in the region following the anticipated decline in gas production from existing fields. The company engaged with relevant stakeholders to finalize commercial arrangements, aiming to secure a reliable energy source for the Southern African market.
• In May 2024, the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) acquired an 11.7% equity stake in Phase 1 of the Rio Grande LNG export project in Texas. This transaction, executed through an investment vehicle of Global Infrastructure Partners, marked the company's first strategic investment in the United States energy sector. Concurrently, the two companies entered into a 20-year offtake agreement for the supply of 1.9 million tons per annum of liquefied natural gas from Train 4 of the facility. The collaboration was designed to bolster the company's international growth strategy and expand its lower-carbon energy portfolio to meet rising global demand.
• In May 2024, AG&P LNG, in partnership with the Hai Linh Company, officially commenced the commissioning phase of the Cai Mep LNG terminal in Vietnam. Located in the Ba Ria Vung Tau province, this facility was established as the country's second liquefied natural gas import terminal, featuring an initial capacity of 3 million metric tons per annum. The companies organized a commissioning symposium to outline the milestones leading to the start of commercial operations. This infrastructure development was intended to provide an integrated supply solution to nearby power plants and industrial customers, thereby enhancing the region's energy security and fuel diversity.
• In April 2024, QatarEnergy signed a significant agreement with China State Shipbuilding Corporation (CSSC) for the construction of 18 QC-Max LNG vessels. The contract, valued at nearly $6 billion, represented a major expansion of the company’s shipping fleet to support its ongoing North Field expansion projects. These vessels, each with a capacity of 271,000 cubic meters, were described as the largest liquefied natural gas carriers ever ordered by size. This strategic collaboration underscored the strengthening energy ties between the two entities and was aimed at ensuring reliable, long-term transport capacity for the company's increasing export volumes.

Key Market Players

• Cheniere Energy, Inc.
• Shell PLC
• TotalEnergies SE
• Chevron Corporation
• Exxon Mobil Corporation
• Woodside Petroleum Ltd
• BP PLC
• Eni S.p.A.
• Santos Ltd.
• Pavilion Energy Pte Ltd

By Type	By Location	By Applications	By Region
Liquefaction Regasification	Onshore Floating Storage & Regasification Units	Bunkering Captive	North America Europe Asia Pacific South America Middle East & Africa

Report Scope:

In this report, the Global LNG Terminal Market has been segmented into the following categories, in addition to the industry trends which have also been detailed below:

• LNG Terminal Market, By Type:

• Liquefaction
• Regasification

• LNG Terminal Market, By Location:

• Onshore
• Floating Storage & Regasification Units

• LNG Terminal Market, By Applications:

• Bunkering
• Captive

• LNG Terminal Market, By Region:

• North America
• United States
• Canada
• Mexico
• Europe
• France
• United Kingdom
• Italy
• Germany
• Spain
• Asia Pacific
• China
• India
• Japan
• Australia
• South Korea
• South America
• Brazil
• Argentina
• Colombia
• Middle East & Africa
• South Africa
• Saudi Arabia
• UAE