LPGCarrier

LPGCarrier is a type of tanker designed to transport liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) by sea. LPG typically includes propane and butane, often shipped as bulk cargo or as mixes used for fuels and petrochemical feedstocks. LPG carriers are engineered to keep the cargo in liquid form during voyage, using either high pressure or low-temperature refrigeration, depending on the gas composition and the tank design.

Cargo containment and temperature control are central to LPGCarrier design. There are two main operating regimes: fully pressurized carriers that store LPG under high pressure in steel tanks, usually with spherical tanks; and refrigerated or semi-refrigerated carriers that keep the cargo as a liquid at low temperatures in insulated tanks. Tank configurations have included spherical tanks, as well as independent tank systems such as membrane or box-type arrangements on modern ships. The choice of system affects cargo capacity, insulation requirements, and boil-off management.

Cargo handling and safety systems are integral to LPG carriers. Ships are equipped with cargo pumps and compressors, vapour recovery and handling gear, inert gas systems to reduce fire risk, gas detection, and emergency shutdown arrangements. Containment systems, ventilation, and relief devices are designed to manage boil-off gas and pressure while ensuring safe loading, carriage, and discharge. Many LPG carriers also employ double-hull designs or other mitigations to enhance safety in piracy-prone or high-risk waters.

Regulation and operation follow international standards and classification society rules. The International Code for the Construction and Equipment of Ships Carrying Liquefied Gases in Bulk (IGC Code), SOLAS, and MARPOL govern design, equipment, and procedures. LPG carriers operate globally in the LPG supply chain, moving propane, butane, and related gases from production regions to markets worldwide.