Mar 10, 2026

According to a report from Yahoo Finance, multiple tankers carrying liquefied natural gas are altering their routes from Europe to Asia as nations compete for shipments. Analysts indicate a series of vessels, primarily originating from the United States, have changed course while at sea to head for destinations including Japan, Korea, and China.

Data from the commodities firm Kpler shows eight cargoes have already been diverted, with over ten more potentially following. This shift is expected to compel gas prices in Britain and Europe to exceed those in Asia to attract supply, with resulting cost increases impacting household and business energy bills.

Price surges followed a threat by Iran to target ships transiting the Strait of Hormuz, a critical passage for a substantial portion of global LNG shipments. This triggered a near-complete stoppage of maritime traffic in the Persian Gulf region. The disruption has led Qatar, a major LNG exporter, to suspend exports and invoke force majeure clauses.

Asian nations typically reliant on Qatari supply, such as China, India, Japan, and South Korea, are now seeking alternative sources. Analysis by Panmure Liberum noted that as of the morning of March 9, the spot price for gas in Japan and Korea was higher than the equivalent price in Europe. While the Asian price remained steady since March 6, the European price had risen significantly from its level on that date.

An LNG analyst at Kpler stated that further price increases are anticipated due to competition for available cargoes. The analyst noted that while diversions are not uncommon, the current scale is significant. The initial observed diversion involved a vessel that loaded in Nigeria and was destined for France before altering course around March 3.

Kpler has tracked eight cargoes in such diversion activity, most of which originated in the US. One specific vessel, the Simsimah, was loaded with US-produced LNG at a terminal in Louisiana. After initially setting a course for Europe, its listed destination was changed to Asia on March 5, and it was subsequently observed sailing south along the West African coast on March 9.

1. INTRODUCTION

Making Data-Driven Decisions to Grow Your Business

REPORT DESCRIPTION
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY AND THE AI PLATFORM
DATA-DRIVEN DECISIONS FOR YOUR BUSINESS
GLOSSARY AND SPECIFIC TERMS

2. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

A Quick Overview of Market Performance

KEY FINDINGS
MARKET TRENDSThis Chapter is Available Only for the Professional EditionPRO

3. MARKET OVERVIEW

Understanding the Current State of The Market and its Prospects

MARKET SIZE: HISTORICAL DATA (2012–2025) AND FORECAST (2026–2035)
MARKET STRUCTURE: HISTORICAL DATA (2012–2025) AND FORECAST (2026–2035)
TRADE BALANCE: HISTORICAL DATA (2012–2025) AND FORECAST (2026–2035)
PER CAPITA CONSUMPTION: HISTORICAL DATA (2012–2025) AND FORECAST (2026–2035)
MARKET FORECAST TO 2035

4. MOST PROMISING PRODUCTS FOR DIVERSIFICATION

Finding New Products to Diversify Your Business

TOP PRODUCTS TO DIVERSIFY YOUR BUSINESS
BEST-SELLING PRODUCTS
MOST CONSUMED PRODUCTS
MOST TRADED PRODUCTS
MOST PROFITABLE PRODUCTS FOR EXPORTS

5. MOST PROMISING SUPPLYING COUNTRIES

Choosing the Best Countries to Establish Your Sustainable Supply Chain

TOP COUNTRIES TO SOURCE YOUR PRODUCT
TOP PRODUCING COUNTRIES
TOP EXPORTING COUNTRIES
LOW-COST EXPORTING COUNTRIES

6. MOST PROMISING OVERSEAS MARKETS

Choosing the Best Countries to Boost Your Export

TOP OVERSEAS MARKETS FOR EXPORTING YOUR PRODUCT
TOP CONSUMING MARKETS
UNSATURATED MARKETS
TOP IMPORTING MARKETS
MOST PROFITABLE MARKETS

7. PRODUCTION

The Latest Trends and Insights into The Industry

PRODUCTION VOLUME AND VALUE: HISTORICAL DATA (2012–2025) AND FORECAST (2026–2035)

8. IMPORTS

The Largest Import Supplying Countries

IMPORTS: HISTORICAL DATA (2012–2025) AND FORECAST (2026–2035)
IMPORTS BY COUNTRY: HISTORICAL DATA (2012–2025)
IMPORT PRICES BY COUNTRY: HISTORICAL DATA (2012–2025)

9. EXPORTS

The Largest Destinations for Exports

EXPORTS: HISTORICAL DATA (2012–2025) AND FORECAST (2026–2035)
EXPORTS BY COUNTRY: HISTORICAL DATA (2012–2025)
EXPORT PRICES BY COUNTRY: HISTORICAL DATA (2012–2025)

10. PROFILES OF MAJOR PRODUCERS

The Largest Producers on The Market and Their Profiles

LIST OF TABLES

Key Findings In 2025
Market Volume, In Physical Terms: Historical Data (2012–2025) and Forecast (2026–2035)
Market Value: Historical Data (2012–2025) and Forecast (2026–2035)
Per Capita Consumption: Historical Data (2012–2025) and Forecast (2026–2035)
Imports, In Physical Terms, By Country, 2012–2025
Imports, In Value Terms, By Country, 2012–2025
Import Prices, By Country, 2012–2025
Exports, In Physical Terms, By Country, 2012–2025
Exports, In Value Terms, By Country, 2012–2025
Export Prices, By Country, 2012–2025

LIST OF FIGURES

Market Volume, In Physical Terms: Historical Data (2012–2025) and Forecast (2026–2035)
Market Value: Historical Data (2012–2025) and Forecast (2026–2035)
Market Structure – Domestic Supply vs. Imports, in Physical Terms: Historical Data (2012–2025) and Forecast (2026–2035)
Market Structure – Domestic Supply vs. Imports, in Value Terms: Historical Data (2012–2025) and Forecast (2026–2035)
Trade Balance, In Physical Terms: Historical Data (2012–2025) and Forecast (2026–2035)
Trade Balance, In Value Terms: Historical Data (2012–2025) and Forecast (2026–2035)
Per Capita Consumption: Historical Data (2012–2025) and Forecast (2026–2035)
Market Volume Forecast to 2035
Market Value Forecast to 2035
Market Size and Growth, By Product
Average Per Capita Consumption, By Product
Exports and Growth, By Product
Export Prices and Growth, By Product
Production Volume and Growth
Exports and Growth
Export Prices and Growth
Market Size and Growth
Per Capita Consumption
Imports and Growth
Import Prices
Production, In Physical Terms: Historical Data (2012–2025) and Forecast (2026–2035)
Production, In Value Terms: Historical Data (2012–2025) and Forecast (2026–2035)
Imports, In Physical Terms: Historical Data (2012–2025) and Forecast (2026–2035)
Imports, In Value Terms: Historical Data (2012–2025) and Forecast (2026–2035)
Imports, In Physical Terms, By Country, 2025
Imports, In Physical Terms, By Country, 2012–2025
Imports, In Value Terms, By Country, 2012–2025
Import Prices, By Country, 2012–2025
Exports, In Physical Terms: Historical Data (2012–2025) and Forecast (2026–2035)
Exports, In Value Terms: Historical Data (2012–2025) and Forecast (2026–2035)
Exports, In Physical Terms, By Country, 2025
Exports, In Physical Terms, By Country, 2012–2025
Exports, In Value Terms, By Country, 2012–2025
Export Prices, By Country, 2012–2025