US LPG exports rise 6.3% as shipments to India surge

US exports of liquefied petroleum gas rose 6.3% year on year to 56.9 million tonnes in January-September 2026, despite falling shipments to China and the European Union. Figures from shipbroker Banchero Costa, reported by Hellenic Shipping News, put the United States’ share of global export volumes at 55.4%, maintaining its position as the world’s largest LPG exporter.

The increase extended several years of US export growth, following gains of 6.1% in 2025, 11.1% in 2024 and 15.0% in 2023. Houston was the largest US loading port in the first nine months of 2026, handling 24.4 million tonnes, followed by Beaumont with 16.2 million tonnes. Freeport loaded 6.9 million tonnes and Marcus Hook 5.1 million tonnes. Very large gas carriers transported 79.6% of US volumes during the period.

Mainland China remained the leading destination for American LPG, taking 16.4% of US seaborne exports, although that share was substantially below its 2024 peak of 29.5%. US shipments to China fell 7.2% year on year to 9.3 million tonnes in January-September 2026. The decline followed a 39.9% contraction in 2025, when annual volumes dropped to 11.8 million tonnes from 19.7 million tonnes in 2024, according to the shipbroker’s figures.

India recorded a sharp increase in purchases from the United States, with shipments rising 282.1% to 4.7 million tonnes. US exports to Japan increased 17.8% to 6.8 million tonnes, while Indonesia received 4.4 million tonnes, up 20.8%. By contrast, shipments to the EU fell 13.7% to 6.8 million tonnes, reversing growth in the previous two years. South Korea took 4.8 million tonnes, down 14.3%.

Across global import markets, mainland China retained the largest share at 18.6%, despite a 28.1% fall in arrivals to 18.8 million tonnes. EU imports declined 3.3% to 16.3 million tonnes, representing 16.0% of global seaborne LPG imports. India’s total imports fell 26.4% to 12.2 million tonnes, contrasting with its increased intake from the United States. Japanese imports were broadly steady at 7.2 million tonnes, while South Korean volumes declined 15.5% to 5.3 million tonnes.