Asia’s LNG imports fell to 19.03 million metric tons in April, the lowest in nearly six years, according to a Reuters report. The drop follows the effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz, which cut off cargoes from Qatar, the world’s largest LNG supplier. The shutdown has forced Asian buyers to adjust, with China taking the lead by voluntarily curtailing demand and re‑selling cargoes. Analysts note that the market’s response contrasts with the more volatile crude‑oil sector, where supply disruptions have had a larger impact. According to Kpler, Asia’s imports for April were 19.03 Mt, down from 20.69 Mt in March and 26.34 Mt at the winter peak in December. April arrivals are the lowest since June 2020 and reflect a sharp loss in volumes from Qatar, which supplied roughly 20% of global LNG before the war. Asia’s imports from Qatar were estimated at just 800,000 t in April, compared with an average of just over 6 Mt in the three months leading up to the conflict, about 88% of Qatar’s total volumes. China’s imports fell to 3.36 Mt in April, the lowest since 3.18 Mt in April 2018, and down from 7.66 Mt at the December peak. China also re‑sold cargoes, with LNG exports reaching a record 720,000 t in March before dropping to 30,000 t in April. Spot Asian LNG prices spiked from $10.40 to $25.30 per million British thermal units (mmBtu) in the week ending March 20, before easing to $16.05 per mmBtu in the week to April 17, a 54% increase over pre‑war levels. For comparison, jet fuel in Singapore jumped 97% and gasoil rose 59% during the same period. LSEG data shows Pakistan’s LNG imports may fall to zero in April, with only 150,000 t discharged in March versus 479,000 t in February and 721,000 t in January. Pakistan relies almost exclusively on Qatar, making it highly vulnerable to the Strait closure. Bangladesh, by contrast, secured supplies from the United States, Australia, Oman, Nigeria and Angola, and is forecast to receive 531,000 t in April, down only slightly from 561,000 t in March. Looking ahead, China’s ability to trim demand and re‑sell cargoes has helped temper the shock, while other Asian markets are adjusting through diversified sourcing. The continued volatility of the Strait of Hormuz remains a supply‑chain risk, but the region’s response suggests a capacity to adapt to sudden disruptions.