China’s LNG imports rise for second straight month amid Hormuz disruptions

China's liquefied natural gas imports jumped 8.3% year-on-year in June to 5.68 million tons, marking a second consecutive monthly increase as the world's largest LNG buyer ramps up purchases ahead of peak summer power demand, according to customs data released Monday.arabictrader

The accelerating imports come as geopolitical disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz continue to constrain Qatari LNG flows, compounding tightness in global gas markets that has persisted since earlier this year.

Summer Demand Drives Buying Spree

The June volumes represent a sharp increase from May, when China imported 4.9 million tons of LNG. Chinese buyers have steadily rebuilt import volumes after a period of decline linked to the Strait of Hormuz disruptions that began in early March, when Qatar halted LNG production citing the security environment in the Persian Gulf.energyconnects+2

Bloomberg reported in early June that China's 30-day moving average for LNG deliveries had jumped to 178,000 tons per day, 11% higher than the same period last year. China's LNG imports fell 11% in 2025 to 67 million tons, and analysts at the start of 2026 forecast a 3% to 10% rebound for the year.bloomberg+2

Russia has also emerged as a growing supplier, with Chinese imports of Russian LNG rising 27.8% year-on-year to 3.59 million tons in the first half of 2026, according to Chinese customs data reported by TASS.tass

Chinese Buyers Seek Supply Beyond Hormuz

In a strategic shift, major state-owned importers including Sinopec China Petroleum & Chemical Corporation and PetroChina are in discussions with LNG exporters whose supply routes do not depend on the Strait of Hormuz, Bloomberg reported on July 17.energyconnects+1

The companies are seeking contracts for deliveries beginning before 2030, with terms of at least a decade, according to people familiar with the talks. Canada is among the sources being considered. About 20% of global LNG trade transited the Strait of Hormuz in 2024, primarily from Qatar.arab-reform+1

Outlook Remains Tight

While Qatar has signaled intentions to restore LNG exports from Ras Laffan once Strait of Hormuz shipping fully resumes — targeting 80% of nominal capacity within two months of reopening — the timeline remains uncertain. The disruption has pushed Chinese and other Asian buyers to compete more aggressively for cargoes from alternative suppliers, tightening an already stretched market.europeangashub

China's renewed appetite for LNG, coupled with constrained Qatari flows, leaves global gas markets facing sustained pressure through the northern hemisphere summer.