Containment
Moss / Spherical Type B Containment
Self-supporting aluminium spheres that carry cargo loads independently of the hull structure.
Learn more →Engineering knowledge
Technology built for the coldest cargo at sea.
Explore the containment, propulsion, safety, and monitoring systems that make modern LNG transport possible.
Educational data
Containment
GTT Mark III Membrane Containment
A membrane system using a corrugated stainless-steel primary barrier over reinforced foam insulation.
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GTT NO96 Membrane Containment
Two Invar membranes define the NO96 containment principle; behind them, an evolving insulation assembly limits heat ingress while providing mechanical support.
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SPB / Self-Supporting Prismatic Type B
Independent prismatic tanks with internal bulkheads that limit free-surface movement of the cargo.
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Type C Tanks and Pressurised LNG Transport Solutions
Self-supporting pressure vessels, commonly cylindrical or bi-lobe, used in smaller LNG transport and bunkering applications.
Learn more →Cargo & BOG
Cryogenic Insulation and Cargo Management
Insulation, cooldown and cargo-handling practice that keep LNG stable at cryogenic temperature throughout a voyage.
Learn more →Cargo & BOG
Boil-off Gas Management
How vessels control tank pressure using boil-off gas as fuel, gas combustion units or reliquefaction.
Learn more →Propulsion
LNG Carrier Propulsion Systems
Steam turbine, dual-fuel electric and two-stroke dual-fuel concepts, and how each interacts with cargo vapour.
Learn more →Infrastructure
LNG Bunkering Technology
Transfer methods, equipment and interfaces used to supply LNG as a marine fuel.
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FSRU, FSU and FLNG Infrastructure
Floating regasification, storage and liquefaction units, and how they differ from trading carriers.
Learn more →Safety & Digital
LNG Safety Systems and Emergency Shutdown
Detection, containment and shutdown arrangements that protect crew, ship and terminal during cargo operations.
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Digital Monitoring and Cargo Management
Integrated monitoring that supports condition awareness, energy management and voyage performance analysis.
Learn more →Classification model
Five dimensions, not one label
An LNG vessel is best described across several independent dimensions: its operational role, cargo containment system, capacity, propulsion system and boil-off gas (BOG) management. These characteristics can be combined in different ways.
Some options may overlap, and not every dimension applies to every vessel or floating asset.
Dimension 01
Operational role
What the vessel or floating asset does in service.
- Ocean-Going LNG Carrier
- Small-Scale LNG Carrier
- LNG Feeder Vessel
- LNG Bunkering Vessel
- LNG Barge / Coastal LNG Carrier
- LNG Shuttle Carrier
- FSRU — Floating Storage and Regasification Unit
- FSU — Floating Storage Unit
- FLNG — Floating Liquefied Natural Gas Facility
Conversion history (e.g. a carrier converted to an FSRU) describes origin or configuration, not current role.
Dimension 02
Cargo containment system
How LNG is stored on board.
- Moss Spherical Tanks — independent Type B
- GTT Mark III Membrane
- GTT NO96 Membrane
- SPB — Self-Supporting Prismatic Type B
- Type C Pressure Tanks — cylindrical
- Type C Pressure Tanks — bilobe / multilobe
In Type C tanks LNG remains a refrigerated liquid in pressure-rated tanks, unlike CNG, which is compressed gas and is not liquefied.
Dimension 03
Cargo capacity
How much LNG the vessel can carry.
- Small-Scale
- Medium-Scale
- Conventional-Size
- Q-Flex
- Q-Max
Q-Flex and Q-Max are named large-carrier classes, not general bands. Size categories can vary by source or market.
Dimension 04
Propulsion system
How the vessel is propelled.
- Steam Turbine
- DFDE / TFDE
- ME-GI
- X-DF
- LNG-Fuelled Dual-Fuel Propulsion
Examples of propulsion configurations and engine technologies; the terms do not all describe the same technical level.
Dimension 05
BOG management
How boil-off gas is handled on board.
- Used as Engine Fuel
- Gas Combustion Unit (GCU)
- Reliquefaction
- Other Onboard BOG Management Systems
Ship systems
From cold cargo to useful energy
Each system is part of one thermodynamic and operational chain.
System layer 01
Contain
System layer 02
Monitor
System layer 03
Convert
System layer 04
Optimise
Technical information
- Status
- Educational overview
- Last reviewed
- 15 September 2026
- Source status
- Sources pending editorial review.
Technical parameters are indicative and may vary by vessel design, generation, shipyard, operator and intended service.