LNG bunkering—the process of fueling ships with liquefied natural gas (LNG) is rapidly gaining momentum as the maritime industry responds to evolving regulations and rising operational costs. As a marine fuel, LNG offers a significant reduction in sulfur oxides (SOx), nitrogen oxides (NOx), and carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions compared to traditional heavy fuel oils. It is also relatively inexpensive and widely available when compared to alternatives like methanol, making it a practical transitional fuel. Globally, ports in Europe and Asia have taken early leadership, driven by regulatory alignment and substantial investments by energy companies and shipping lines. Rotterdam, Singapore, and Zeebrugge have emerged as key LNG bunkering hubs, with dedicated bunker vessels and terminal infrastructure supporting growing fleets of dual-fuel ships operated by companies such as CMA CGM, Hapag-Lloyd, and MSC. The United States remains the last of the major markets to adopt LNG bunkering at scale.

Recently, the International Maritime Organization (IMO) concluded the 83rd session of its Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC 83), affirming new regulations that penalize the use of very-low-sulfur fuel oil (VLSFO). These regulations introduce two cost tiers: a Tier 1 Regulatory Unit (RU) penalty of approximately $49 and a Tier 2 RU penalty equal to 70% of base fuel costs. These additional costs make the energy-equivalent price of VLSFO significantly higher than LNG, further highlighting the economic appeal of LNG as a marine fuel.

LNG bunkering supply chains—whether truck-to-ship, ship-to-ship, or shore-to-ship—are evolving to match varying port capabilities and vessel sizes. Ship-to-ship bunkering, in particular, is gaining popularity due to its efficiency and scalability. As more shipowners invest in LNG-compatible engines, long-term supply agreements and joint ventures are supporting industry growth. LNG is expected to become a major player in the global shipping fuel mix. Currently, there are approximately 680 LNG-fueled marine vessels operating globally—a small share of the total shipping market—but as momentum builds, vessel orders are steadily increasing. By 2030, LNG bunker fuel consumption is projected to reach at least 17 million tonnes per annum (MTPA), with continued growth driven by a rising fleet of LNG-powered ships. Over the next decade, LNG-fueled vessels are forecasted to increase by approximately 160%.

A breakdown of new vessel orders reveals a majority comprised of containerships from operators like Maersk and CMA CGM, tankers from companies such as MOL and Odfjell, and vehicle carriers including NYK and Wallenius Wilhelmsen. Additionally, cruise lines are becoming an influential force in the LNG marine fuel market, as they seek to enhance their reputation by embracing cleaner fuel technologies.

In the United States, LNG bunkering is steadily advancing—particularly along the East and Gulf Coasts. The U.S. benefits from a robust domestic natural gas supply and well-developed export infrastructure, making LNG both accessible and competitively priced. Jacksonville, Florida (JAX LNG), has emerged as a pioneer in this space, supplying LNG to TOTE Maritime and Carnival Cruise Line through a combination of truck and barge operations. The greatest growth opportunity, however, lies along the U.S. Gulf Coast. Here, LNG production, industrial infrastructure, and global shipping lanes converge to create a uniquely strategic growth corridor. Ports like Houston, Port Arthur, and Corpus Christi are positioned at the intersection of U.S. energy exports and global trade, backed by significant natural gas infrastructure. The Gulf Coast’s proximity to the Panama Canal and key Latin American markets further enhances its value as a refueling hub. Public-private partnerships between port authorities and energy companies point to a developing pipeline of investment. As more shipping companies incorporate the USGC into their operating routes, the region’s infrastructure is adapting to meet LNG bunkering demand—positioning it not just for today’s needs, but also for future fuel flexibility.

Overall, the LNG marine fuel market is gaining strong momentum. With vast natural gas reserves, strategic port locations, growing infrastructure, and competitive pricing, the United States is well-positioned to play a vital role in this growing this nascent industry. At Enkon, we will continue to closely monitor developments across the LNG bunkering value chain and assess emerging opportunities.

In a follow up artcile, we will be discussing competitiveness of U.S. LNG bunkering with European and Asian LNG bunkering hubs.

-Connor Pence

If you are interested in a deeper dive into U.S. LNG Bunkering assessment and outlook and project level analysis, please contact us at info@enkonenergy.com. We encourage you to subscribe to our articles to get weekly articles via email.

Enkon Energy Advisors is a boutique consulting firm specializing in oil & gas, and energy transition since 2012. We bring deep expertise in a range of markets including natural gas, NGLs, Oil, LNG, and Energy Transition where we provide commercial and market advisory to investors, energy companies, and project developers with consulting services, subscription reports, and analytics, with the goal of delivering commercially actionable outcomes to our client.