LNG Carriers
Liquefied Natural Gas carriers transport LNG at -162°C. From conventional membrane tankers to giant Q-Max vessels and floating regasification units.
Total LNG Fleet
737 vessels
Total Capacity
112M m³
Average Vessel Age
12.6 years
On Order
328 vessels
LNG Carrier Types & Containment Systems
| Vessel Type | Capacity |
|---|---|
| Conventional LNG Carrier (Membrane) | 125,000–180,000 m³ |
| Conventional LNG Carrier (Moss) | 125,000–145,000 m³ |
| Q-Flex LNG Carrier | 210,000–216,000 m³ |
| Q-Max LNG Carrier | 260,000–266,000 m³ |
| Small-Scale LNG | 1,000–30,000 m³ |
| FSRU (Floating Storage & Regasification) | 125,000–263,000 m³ |
Major LNG Trade Routes (2025)
Qatar → Japan/South Korea
78 Mt/yrWorld's largest LNG export corridor
Australia (NW Shelf/Curtis/Ichthys) → Asia
82 Mt/yrAustralia surpassed Qatar as top exporter in 2022
USA (Sabine Pass/Corpus Christi) → Europe
52 Mt/yrUS LNG exports surged post-Ukraine conflict
USA → Asia (spot cargoes)
38 Mt/yrFlexible US LNG contracts to Asian buyers
Russia (Yamal, Sakhalin) → Asia
34 Mt/yrYamal LNG — ice-class Arc7 carriers
Nigeria (Bonny Island) → Europe
22 Mt/yrNigeria LNG — Atlantic basin trade
Key Regulations & Standards
IGC CodeConstruction and equipment of gas carriers
SOLAS VII-CCarriage of liquefied gas in bulk
MARPOL Annex IOil pollution prevention (bilge/ballast)
MARPOL Annex VIAir pollution — methane slip regulations
STCW V/1-2Proficiency in gas tanker operations
OCIMF/SIGTTOIndustry standards for LNG operations