LNG Canada Launches First Export to Asia, Signals Global Shift
Canada has officially joined the global liquefied natural gas (LNG) export market. On Monday, the first LNG shipment left Kitimat, British Columbia, bound for Asia—marking a major milestone in Canada’s energy strategy. This inaugural export from LNG Canada, a massive $48.3 billion project led by Shell, comes at a time when the country is actively working to diversify exports beyond its traditional U.S. market.
The GasLog Glasgow, the vessel carrying the first load, departed from Kitimat just days after arriving at the newly operational terminal. The event not only opens Canada’s LNG trade but also sets the stage for potential future expansion.
LNG Canada: A Decade in the Making
It’s been a long road. LNG Canada received its export license in 2013 and began construction on the Kitimat terminal in 2018. Now, over a decade later, the project has gone live.
The first phase includes a major $18 billion terminal, the $14.5 billion Coastal GasLink pipeline, and additional infrastructure. In total, the project has created tens of thousands of jobs, peaking at over 9,000 workers in 2023. During operations, it will maintain around 350 permanent roles.
Chris Cooper, CEO of LNG Canada, noted,
“Something that takes over a decade to deliver takes real staying power.”
Phase 2? Expansion May Double Capacity
With the first shipment complete, LNG Canada is now exploring Phase 2—a potential expansion that could double output to 28 million tonnes per year. However, the decision isn’t simple. Cooper emphasized that future development depends on multiple factors including greenhouse gas (GHG) policies, affordability, and international competitiveness.
“It’s like a jigsaw puzzle,” Cooper said, referring to the balance between economic goals and environmental regulations at both federal and provincial levels.
Boosting Canada’s Energy Reach
Prime Minister Mark Carney and B.C. Premier David Eby both celebrated the shipment, highlighting how it diversifies Canadian exports, strengthens ties with Asia, and supports emissions reduction through responsible energy development.
“Canada is exporting its energy to reliable partners,” Carney said, noting Indigenous partnerships at the project’s core.
Crystal Smith, the outgoing Haisla Nation chief councillor, praised the milestone as proof of what’s possible when Indigenous communities are empowered participants.
Environmental Concerns Persist
While industry leaders hailed the achievement, climate advocates voiced concern. Nichole Dusyk from the International Institute for Sustainable Development warned that doubling down on LNG could lock Canada into a volatile fossil fuel future.
“The world needs to shift toward renewables, not expand LNG,” she said.
What This Means for Canada’s Energy Sector
The Kitimat terminal is only the beginning. 170 LNG carriers per year are expected to ship Canadian gas across the Pacific, meeting growing demand in Asia. Industry leaders like Shell, Petronas, Mitsubishi, PetroChina, and Kogas—who jointly own LNG Canada—have issued strong support for the move.
Meanwhile, other LNG projects in B.C. such as Woodfibre LNG, Cedar LNG, Ksi Lisims LNG, and Tilbury LNG continue moving forward, signaling that Canada’s LNG moment has just begun.
François Poirier, CEO of TC Energy, summed it up best:
“This is just the beginning of Canada’s LNG journey.”
Stay tuned to Maple Wire for ongoing coverage of Canada’s energy evolution and global trade milestones.
