Why are GTT's membrane containment designs so widely used in LNG shipping?

GTT's membrane containment technologies offer superior volumetric efficiency and lower boil-off rates compared to traditional spherical designs. This maximizes cargo payload capacity within standard vessel hull dimensions, making them the preferred choice for commercial operators and shipyards worldwide.

Which shipbuilders dominate the global LNG carrier construction market?

South Korean shipbuilders, particularly HD KSOE, Hanwha Ocean, and Samsung Heavy Industries, construct the vast majority of large-scale LNG carriers. While Chinese yards like Hudong-Zhonghua are increasing their market share, South Korea retains a distinct competitive edge in high-efficiency gas carrier engineering.

What is driving the ongoing boom in new LNG carrier orders?

The primary catalyst is the substantial wave of new liquefaction capacity scheduled to come online between 2025 and 2030, led by projects in the US Gulf Coast and Qatar. In addition, fleet renewal programs are replacing older steam-turbine vessels with more fuel-efficient, lower-emission propulsion systems.

Offshore Energy · May 28, 2026 (May 28) · 1 min read

Multiple tank design orders for LNG vessels in GTT’s bag

Analysis

AI-assisted analysis · reviewed by Yuri Kan

French engineering firm Gaztransport & Technigaz (GTT) has secured multiple contracts to design cryogenic membrane containment tanks for newbuild liquefied natural gas carriers contracted through major South Korean shipyards. The awards from HD Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering and Hanwha Ocean reflect sustained momentum in global LNG fleet expansion. This surge in construction orders is driven by long-term capacity additions across major export hubs and the maritime sector's transition toward low-emission transport infrastructure.

Key Facts

Gaztransport & Technigaz (GTT) received multiple new tank design orders for liquefied natural gas carriers (LNGCs).
The engineering contracts were placed by two of South Korea's leading shipbuilders: HD Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering (HD KSOE) and Hanwha Ocean.
GTT's proprietary membrane containment systems remain the dominant global technology for modern large-scale LNG carrier cargo holds.
South Korean shipyards continue to capture the vast majority of premium high-spec LNG carrier construction orders globally.
The newbuild vessels are designed to service the upcoming wave of global liquefaction capacity coming online through the late 2020s.

Background & Context

The global LNG shipping sector is undergoing an unprecedented newbuild cycle sparked by the realignment of trade flows following the disruption of Russian pipeline gas to Europe. High demand for long-term supply security has accelerated final investment decisions on major export terminals in the United States, Qatar, and Africa. Consequently, charterers and shipowners have booked shipyard slots years in advance to ensure sufficient specialized fleet capacity to transport these upcoming volumes.

Market Impact

These design orders solidify GTT's virtual monopoly in the cryogenic containment sector, bolstering its long-term revenue visibility and operational backlogs. For HD KSOE and Hanwha Ocean, the contracts reinforce South Korea's entrenched technical superiority over emerging Chinese competitors in delivering complex gas carriers. Furthermore, the steady pipeline of LNGC deliveries between 2026 and 2029 will provide necessary freight liquidity, mitigating future shipping bottlenecks and stabilizing long-haul charter rates as global LNG supply increases by over 40% before 2030.

What to Watch

Industry observers should monitor the scheduled delivery windows and sea trials for these vessels as shipyards manage tight drydock schedules through 2027 and 2028. Continued tightening of International Maritime Organization (IMO) carbon intensity regulations will also determine whether future GTT designs incorporate additional boil-off optimization or alternative fuel configurations.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why are GTT's membrane containment designs so widely used in LNG shipping?: GTT's membrane containment technologies offer superior volumetric efficiency and lower boil-off rates compared to traditional spherical designs. This maximizes cargo payload capacity within standard vessel hull dimensions, making them the preferred choice for commercial operators and shipyards worldwide.
Which shipbuilders dominate the global LNG carrier construction market?: South Korean shipbuilders, particularly HD KSOE, Hanwha Ocean, and Samsung Heavy Industries, construct the vast majority of large-scale LNG carriers. While Chinese yards like Hudong-Zhonghua are increasing their market share, South Korea retains a distinct competitive edge in high-efficiency gas carrier engineering.
What is driving the ongoing boom in new LNG carrier orders?: The primary catalyst is the substantial wave of new liquefaction capacity scheduled to come online between 2025 and 2030, led by projects in the US Gulf Coast and Qatar. In addition, fleet renewal programs are replacing older steam-turbine vessels with more fuel-efficient, lower-emission propulsion systems.

Read on Offshore Energy