Why Is the Transportation Volume of Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) So High in Maritime Shipping?

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I. Core Reasons for High Maritime Transportation Volume of LNG

1. Driven by Global Energy Transition and Environmental Demands
   Compared to coal and oil, LNG emits significantly less carbon when burned (about 45% less than coal) and produces almost no pollutants such as sulfur dioxide. It is a crucial choice for addressing climate change and promoting energy 清洁化. Many countries are accelerating energy substitution to achieve "carbon neutrality" goals. For instance, the EU regards LNG as a transitional energy source, while Asian countries (e.g., China, Japan) reduce coal dependence through LNG imports, directly boosting intercontinental transportation demand.
2. Global Imbalance Between LNG Production and Consumption
   LNG production is highly dependent on natural gas reserves, with major exporters concentrated in resource-rich regions such as Qatar, the United States, and Australia. In contrast, demand is concentrated in resource-poor but energy-intensive countries: Japan (over 90% of natural gas relies on imports), China (the world's largest importer), South Korea, and many European countries. This "separation between production and consumption" makes maritime shipping the only feasible long-distance transportation method.
3. Mature Technology and Economic Advantages of Maritime Shipping
   LNG is liquefied at -162°C, reducing its volume to 1/600 of its gaseous state. This property enables large-scale transportation via specialized LNG carriers. Modern LNG ships have a single-vessel capacity of 170,000-260,000 cubic meters (equivalent to approximately 80,000-130,000 tons), with significantly lower unit energy transportation costs than pipeline transport (especially for transoceanic routes). Despite the high construction cost of LNG carriers, long-term stable trade agreements (e.g., 20-30 year take-or-pay contracts) ensure sustained transportation demand.
4. Strategic Choice for Geopolitics and Energy Security
   To reduce reliance on a single energy supply channel, some countries have made LNG a core of their diversified energy strategies. For example, Europe reduced dependence on Russian pipeline natural gas after the Russia-Ukraine conflict and shifted to importing LNG from the United States and Qatar. Asian countries, meanwhile, balance their energy structures through LNG imports to reduce oil dependence, further driving growth in transportation volume.

II. Major Global LNG Exporting and Importing Countries (2023 Data, in Million Tons)