Liquefied Natural Gas

In the maritime context, Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) refers to natural gas that has been converted into a liquid form for ease of storage or transport. It is primarily used in the shipping industry as a fuel source due to its environmental and economic benefits. LNG is considered a cleaner fuel as it emits less carbon dioxide and sulfur compared to traditional marine fuels like heavy fuel oil or marine diesel. It is stored and transported in specialized LNG carriers, which are double-hulled ships designed to handle the low temperature of LNG. These carriers are equipped with advanced containment systems to prevent leakage. The process of converting natural gas into LNG involves cooling the gas to approximately -162 degrees Celsius, at which point it becomes a liquid and its volume is reduced by about 600 times. This makes it feasible to transport over long distances where pipelines may not be available. Once it reaches its destination, the LNG is regasified and distributed as natural gas.