LPG Tankers

Global LPG Tankers Market to Reach US$278.3 Billion by 2030

The global market for LPG Tankers estimated at US$220.1 Billion in the year 2024, is expected to reach US$278.3 Billion by 2030, growing at a CAGR of 4.0% over the analysis period 2024-2030. Very Large Gas Carrier Vessel, one of the segments analyzed in the report, is expected to record a 3.1% CAGR and reach US$122.2 Billion by the end of the analysis period. Growth in the Large Gas Carrier Vessel segment is estimated at 5.2% CAGR over the analysis period.

The U.S. Market is Estimated at US$60.0 Billion While China is Forecast to Grow at 7.2% CAGR

The LPG Tankers market in the U.S. is estimated at US$60.0 Billion in the year 2024. China, the world`s second largest economy, is forecast to reach a projected market size of US$56.0 Billion by the year 2030 trailing a CAGR of 7.2% over the analysis period 2024-2030. Among the other noteworthy geographic markets are Japan and Canada, each forecast to grow at a CAGR of 1.7% and 3.1% respectively over the analysis period. Within Europe, Germany is forecast to grow at approximately 2.3% CAGR.

Global LPG Tankers Market - Key Trends & Drivers Summarized

What Is Driving the Resurgence in Global Demand for LPG Tanker Capacity?
Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) tankers are essential maritime vessels that transport propane, butane, and their mixtures in liquefied form across global shipping routes. The rising global demand for LPG-as a clean-burning fuel for cooking, heating, petrochemical feedstock, and autogas-is revitalizing investments in new tanker builds and expanding global seaborne trade volumes. As Asia-Pacific and Africa witness increasing LPG consumption due to population growth and urbanization, and as production surpluses emerge from the U.S. and Middle East, the resulting supply-demand imbalances are necessitating robust shipping infrastructure.

The shale gas revolution in North America has positioned the U.S. as a major LPG exporter, while Middle Eastern countries continue to lead in supply through large-scale extraction and refining operations. With limited pipeline infrastructure and long-haul routes to Asia, sea-based LPG transportation has become vital. LPG tankers-categorized into Very Large Gas Carriers (VLGCs), Medium Gas Carriers (MGCs), and Small Gas Carriers (SGCs)-are now being ordered and chartered in record numbers to meet the shipping needs of expanding downstream applications and new import terminals.

How Are Vessel Designs and Propulsion Technologies Evolving in the LPG Shipping Sector?
Modern LPG tankers are being engineered for higher efficiency, lower emissions, and greater cargo flexibility. VLGCs, which dominate long-haul trade routes, are increasingly being constructed with dual-fuel propulsion systems that allow operation on LPG or marine gas oil (MGO), improving fuel economy and emission compliance. Many of the latest vessels are equipped with electronically controlled engines, exhaust gas cleaning systems (scrubbers), and shaft generators to comply with IMO 2020 sulfur emission regulations and support decarbonization goals.

The design of cargo containment systems is also advancing. Fully refrigerated systems are standard in VLGCs, allowing for the transport of large LPG volumes at atmospheric pressure and -42°C. Semi-refrigerated or pressurized vessels, more common in regional trade, are being reconfigured with optimized cargo pumps, low boil-off systems, and flexible loading arrangements to handle various LPG blends and cargo changeovers efficiently. Smart ship technologies-such as condition monitoring, predictive maintenance, and voyage optimization software-are being integrated into LPG tankers for improved operational control and cost management.

Shipyards in South Korea, China, and Japan are leading the construction of technologically advanced LPG tankers, often incorporating lightweight materials, modular design, and LNG-ready infrastructure for future retrofitting. Additionally, innovations in onboard safety systems, cargo tank inspection robotics, and AI-driven risk assessment are enhancing safety and regulatory compliance in what remains a highly hazardous cargo segment.

Which Trade Routes and End-Use Markets Are Shaping Fleet Expansion?
The largest share of LPG tanker demand is tied to the trans-Pacific trade route connecting the U.S. Gulf Coast and Middle East exporters with high-demand regions such as China, India, Japan, and South Korea. These countries rely heavily on LPG imports for domestic consumption, petrochemical manufacturing, and blending into refinery operations. The construction of new import terminals and storage hubs in Southeast Asia and West Africa is unlocking fresh trade lanes and regional chartering demand for mid-sized carriers.

In Europe, LPG imports from the U.S. are rising due to favorable pricing, while intra-regional transport is supporting autogas and heating markets in Eastern and Southern Europe. In South America and Africa, LPG consumption is being driven by government programs promoting clean cooking fuel access, necessitating smaller, coastal gas carriers that can dock at shallow ports and off-grid terminals. Moreover, the growth of propane dehydrogenation (PDH) plants and butane-fed MTBE production facilities is creating new industrial transport needs.

Fleet expansion is being carefully matched to anticipated freight rate recovery, terminal infrastructure growth, and evolving environmental regulations. Spot and long-term charter markets are reflecting increasing preference for eco-friendly and larger-capacity vessels, particularly in anticipation of carbon intensity index (CII) regulations under IMO’s decarbonization roadmap. The ability of shipowners to meet cargo flexibility, environmental mandates, and port access constraints is becoming a key determinant of chartering success and fleet competitiveness.

What Is Fueling Growth in the LPG Tankers Market Globally?
The growth in the global LPG tankers market is driven by several factors, including rising global LPG consumption, surging exports from the U.S. and Middle East, and expanding infrastructure for seaborne trade. The demand for LPG as a transitional fuel-due to its lower carbon content and clean-burning characteristics-is increasing its use across residential, commercial, and industrial sectors, further straining existing tanker capacities.

Fleet modernization is being accelerated by both regulation and economics. IMO rules on sulfur and carbon emissions are pushing older tankers into retirement and encouraging investment in dual-fuel, scrubber-equipped, and energy-efficient ships. Charterers are favoring tankers with higher cargo flexibility, better fuel economy, and compliance with emissions performance standards. This is driving demand not only for VLGCs on major long-haul routes but also for small and mid-sized vessels servicing regional and last-mile LPG logistics.

In parallel, global infrastructure investments-such as the development of new export terminals in the U.S., storage hubs in Africa and Southeast Asia, and floating import terminals-are creating supportive conditions for sustained market expansion. With freight economics recovering and bunker fuel costs stabilizing, LPG shipping is poised for long-term structural growth, underpinned by its essential role in connecting global supply surpluses with rapidly growing downstream demand.

SCOPE OF STUDY:

The report analyzes the LPG Tankers market in terms of units by the following Segments, and Geographic Regions/Countries:

Segments:
Vessel Size (Very Large Gas Carrier Vessel, Large Gas Carrier Vessel, Medium Gas Carrier Vessel, Small Gas Carrier Vessel); Refrigeration & Pressurization (Fully Pressurized, Semi-pressurized, Fully Refrigerated, Extra Refrigerated)

Geographic Regions/Countries:
World; United States; Canada; Japan; China; Europe (France; Germany; Italy; United Kingdom; Spain; Russia; and Rest of Europe); Asia-Pacific (Australia; India; South Korea; and Rest of Asia-Pacific); Latin America (Argentina; Brazil; Mexico; and Rest of Latin America); Middle East (Iran; Israel; Saudi Arabia; United Arab Emirates; and Rest of Middle East); and Africa.

Select Competitors (Total 41 Featured) -

• Avance Gas Holding Ltd
• BW LPG Limited
• Dorian LPG Ltd
• Epic Gas Ltd (now Petredec Ltd)
• Exmar NV
• Geogas Maritime SAS
• Global Gas
• IINO Kaiun Kaisha, Ltd.
• Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha, Ltd.
• Kumiai Navigation Pte Ltd
• Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd.
• Navigator Holdings Ltd
• Nippon Yusen Kabushiki Kaisha (NYK Line)
• Petredec Ltd
• Qatar Gas Transport Company (Nakilat)
• Saga LNG Shipping Pte Ltd
• SHV Energy
• StealthGas Inc.
• Tianjin Southwest Maritime
• Tokyo Marine Co., Ltd.

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