LNG carrier

An LNG carrier is a ship designed to transport liquefied natural gas in insulated cryogenic tanks. Its cargo system keeps methane near its boiling point of −162 °C while controlling boil-off gas.

Liquefied natural gas: Liquefied natural gas is natural gas cooled until it becomes a liquid, chiefly to reduce its volume for storage and transport. It is the cryogenic cargo these ships are built to carry.
Cryogenics: Cryogenics is the science and technology of producing and working with very low temperatures. LNG’s storage temperature makes cryogenic materials and procedures essential aboard the ship.
LNG terminal: An LNG terminal is a facility for loading, unloading, storing, or processing liquefied natural gas. Terminals provide the shore-side equipment that loads and receives carrier cargoes.
LPG carrier: An LPG carrier is a ship designed to transport liquefied petroleum gases such as propane and butane. Its cargoes generally require different pressures or temperatures from methane-rich LNG.
Moss-type containment system: A cargo containment design using self-supporting spherical tanks that protrude above a ship’s deck. Its distinctive spherical tanks are one of the principal LNG carrier designs.
Methane: Methane is the simplest hydrocarbon, with the chemical formula CH₄, and the main component of natural gas. It is the principal cargo molecule and sets LNG’s approximate boiling temperature.
LNG regasification: LNG regasification warms liquefied natural gas and converts it back into gaseous form. Import terminals regasify the cargo after carriers deliver it.
Oil tanker: An oil tanker is a ship designed to carry crude oil or petroleum products in bulk. Unlike LNG carriers, oil tankers transport liquid cargoes without cryogenic containment.
Membrane tank: A ship cargo tank whose thin, flexible barrier is supported by insulation and the vessel’s inner hull. Membrane systems use the hull shape efficiently and dominate many modern LNG fleets.
Thermal insulation: Thermal insulation reduces heat transfer between materials or spaces at different temperatures. Insulation limits heat entering tanks kept far colder than the surrounding sea and air.

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