Global LNG trade growth is expected to shrink to 1% this year from a strong 12% seen in 2019 in the fallout from the Covid-19 pandemic and the ongoing climate of low gas prices, according to Clarksons Research.

In its annual LNG market report, which was published on Tuesday, the research arm of shipbroking giant Clarksons said its initial expectations for 2020 were for 7% trade growth with low gas prices already weakening sentiment for the year.