LPG Carriers

LPG carriers transport propane, butane, ammonia and other gases under pressure or refrigeration. VLGCs dominate international trades while small pressurized vessels serve coastal and inland markets.

Total LPG Fleet

2,310 vessels

Total Capacity

42M m³

Average Age

14.2 years

On Order

86 vessels

LPG Carrier Classes & Specifications

Class	Capacity	Type	Routes	Fleet
VLGC Very Large Gas Carrier	70,000–85,000 m³	Fully refrigerated	Middle East → Asia; US → Asia/Europe	320
LGC Large Gas Carrier	40,000–70,000 m³	Fully refrigerated	Global trade lanes	140
MGC Medium Gas Carrier	15,000–40,000 m³	Fully/semi-ref.	Regional, Atlantic basin	320
SGC / Coaster Small Gas Carrier / Coastal	3,500–15,000 m³	Semi-ref. / pressurized	Short-sea, coastal, river	890
Pressurized Fully Pressurized Gas Carrier	Up to 4,000 m³	Fully pressurized	Coastal, inland waterways	560
Ethylene Carrier Ethylene / Ethane Carrier	5,000–15,000 m³	Fully refrigerated	Intra-regional; US → Europe	80

Major LPG Trade Routes

Middle East Gulf → Japan/China/South Korea

34 Mt/yr

LPG (propane + butane)

USA (Marcus Hook, Houston) → Europe/Asia

24 Mt/yr

LPG (propane)

Australia → Asia

8 Mt/yr

LPG

North Sea → NW Europe

6 Mt/yr

LPG, naphtha

Middle East → India

8 Mt/yr

LPG for cooking/residential

Cargo Types Carried

Propane (C3H8)-42°C at atm

Dominant VLGC cargo from Middle East

Butane (C4H10)-2°C at atm

Often co-loaded with propane

Anhydrous Ammonia-33°C at atm

Fertilizer ingredient, toxic — extra safety measures

Propylene (C3H6)-47°C at atm

Petrochemical feedstock

Butadiene-4°C at atm

Synthetic rubber feedstock — highly reactive

Vinyl Chloride (VCM)-14°C at atm

PVC precursor — toxic, carcinogenic