How is LNG Shipped and Stored?
LNG is transported from producing countries in specially-designed double-hulled tankers to prevent leakage or rupture. The double-hull provides increased structural safety, and the insulation allows the ships to act like thermos bottles to keep the LNG cold. The LNG is stored in a special containment system within the inner hull at atmospheric pressure. Large LNG tankers hold up to approximately 138,000 cubic meters of LNG in liquid form, or about 3.0 billion cubic feet. As of early 2005, there were 177 LNG tankers worldwide. When an LNG tanker arrives at a receiving terminal, the LNG is transferred to storage tanks. These tanks are built either above or below ground. These are very robust structures. Their doubled-walled construction makes them essentially a “tank within a tank.” The outer tank is typically constructed of carbon steel, while the inner tank is usually nine percent nickel steel. Between the two tanks is extremely efficient insulation to keep the cryogenic liquid suffici
