New gas trades in the spotlight

LNG has, of course, played an essential role. But a significant departure from previous events was the range of other gases that were on the agenda – ammonia, hydrogen and carbon dioxide – for different reasons. 

Starting with LNG, it has been clear that the world’s cleanest hydrocarbon is set for a bull run. Despite its critics who cite its methane emissions and carbon content, global LNG production will soar over the next decade, and probably beyond, as vast new trains come on stream in countries including Australia, Mozambique, Nigeria, Senegal, Tanzania, UAE and the US. 

LNG still holds centre stage, with Golar LNG, for example announcing earlier this week that it is to spend $2.2 billion on converting its 148,500 cu metre Fuji LNG carrier, built in 2004, into a floating LNG plant with a capacity of 3.5 million tonnes a year.

Mitsui OSK received an Approval in Principle (AiP) from DNV for an 80,000 cu metre liquid hydrogen carrier developed by Australia’s Woodside Energy, HD Korea Shipbuilding and Offshore Engineering, and Hyundai Glovis. At almost the same time, McDermott subsidiary, CB&I (Chicago Bridge and Iron Co acquired in 2018), and South Korea’s Hanwha Ocean were awarded AiP, also from DNV, for design of a cargo containment system for a similar vessel of the same size.

Related:Japanese firms partner for liquefied hydrogen supply chain

Meanwhile a Japanese consortium consisting of Mitsubishi Shipbuilding, K Line, Mitsui OSK Lines, Nihon Shipyard, NYK Line, Mitsui & Co, and Mitsubishi Corp were given AiP from ABS and Class NK for two types of low-pressure liquefied carbon dioxide (LCO₂) carriers under their joint development.

Demand for these gas carriers is expected to grow alongside various carbon capture and storage projects currently under development and involving the overseas transportation of carbon dioxide captured in Japan, the partners said.

Meanwhile a new generation of very large ammonia carriers will be required for transporting and storing hydrogen. About a third of today’s LPG fleet can carry ammonia but many existing vessels are relatively small. Latest designs are focusing on ammonia carriers in the 80-100,000 cu metre range but experts believe that the ammonia carriers of the future could match the size of LNG carriers in operation today. The standard size for LNG carriers is now 174,000 cu metre so there is still some way to go.

Gastech 2025 will take place in Milan from September 9-12^th.