Global seaborne trade in LPG, ethane and ammonia is expanding, reshaping vessel design and risk management across the gas carrier sector, reported Saint Petersburg's PortNews.

LPG has become one of the fastest-growing maritime commodities, with Asia the main importing region. Exporters in the Middle East and the United States supply about 80 per cent of global volumes.

Ethane and ammonia carriage is also increasing, with US ethane exports hitting a record 492,000 barrels per day in 2024. Ammonia trade is forecast to reach 160 million tonnes by 2050, requiring more specialised vessels and complex liability management.

Ship design directly determines risk exposure, with vulnerabilities identified across fully pressurised, semi-pressurised/refrigerated, fully refrigerated and VLGC tonnage.

Very Large Ethane Carriers face operational challenges including cryogenic stresses, reliance on automation, limited terminal infrastructure and risks of fatigue cracking or containment system failure.

Contamination, mis-delivery, measurement disputes, valve-sequencing errors and ship-to-ship interface failures remain major flashpoints. Breaches of SOLAS or MARPOL Annex VI may lead to penalties.

Letters of Indemnity continue to pose commercial and insurance risks, particularly in cases involving delivery without original bills of lading, port changes, unapproved transfers, onboard blending or cargo heating. An LOI does not legalise prohibited actions nor reinstate P&I cover.

A case study described the concurrent carriage of ammonia and propane by a Club Member. The UK P&I Club and consultants Brookes Bell confirmed feasibility only under strict segregation and validated system integrity. The operation was completed without incident after reinforced procedures and enhanced safety measures.

The UK P&I Club is a marine mutual insurer offering protection and indemnity cover to shipowners and charterers worldwide. It is part of the International Group of P&I Clubs and provides risk-management guidance, loss prevention services and operational support to Members.