Small Scale LNG Market Size
| Study Period | 2020 - 2029 |
| Market Size (2024) | USD 10.70 Billion |
| Market Size (2029) | USD 17.53 Billion |
| CAGR (2024 - 2029) | 10.38 % |
| Fastest Growing Market | North America |
| Largest Market | Asia-Pacific |
Major Players
*Disclaimer: Major Players sorted in no particular order |
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Small Scale LNG Market Analysis
The Small-scale LNG Market size is estimated at USD 10.70 billion in 2024, and is expected to reach USD 17.53 billion by 2029, growing at a CAGR of 10.38% during the forecast period (2024-2029).
- Over the long term, the factors such as increasing demand for LNG in bunkering, road transportation, and off-grid power, are expected to drive the small-scale LNG market in the coming years.
- On the other hand, factors such as the high operation cost of small-scale LNG and lack of supporting infrastructure in the regions such as the Middle East and Africa, and high CAPEX requirements, along with a long payback period of more than 12 years, are expected to hinder the growth of the market studied.
- Nevertheless, owing to the high capital expenditure required for a small-scale LNG infrastructure, the development of cost-efficient small-scale LNG infrastructure is expected to provide significant opportunities to the small-scale LNG technology providers and transporters in the future.
- The Asia-Pacific region dominates the market and is also likely to witness the highest CAGR during the forecast period. This growth is attributed to the increased demand for LNG, the net-zero carbon emission targets, the government's initiative to develop the LNG-related infrastructure and rise in investment from private companies coming from countries such as Japan, China, and South Korea.
Small Scale LNG Market Trends
Transportation Segment Expected to Dominate the Market
- LNG is primarily used to fuel trucks and ships, mainly due to its economic and environmental benefits, as compared to diesel and fuel oil. Since LNG is non-corrosive and non-toxic in nature, it can extend the life of a vehicle by up to three times. Moreover, since LNG has an extremely low boiling point, very little heat is required to convert it into a gaseous form at high pressure, with negligible mechanical energy. This makes LNG an efficient fuel for transportation.
- Handling LNG is an immense task since even a slight difference in the temperature can lead to the boiling and vaporization of fuel, which, in turn, leads to fuel wastage. Therefore, it makes passenger cars far less viable than heavy vehicles, such as commercial trucks. This has limited the application of LNG in the transportation segment.
- The use of LNG as a transportation fuel is gaining momentum across the world. China, the United States, and Europe have already started deploying LNG-powered trucks, mainly for long-distance freight carriage. This is mainly due to the government policies and regulations on decarbonizing and emission control, such as China VI and European Green Deal.
- Formed in 2019 by the European Commission, the European Green Deal is a set of policy initiatives with an aim to make Europe carbon-neutral by 2050. The policies briefly underline the importance of LNG in reaching the aim, and they emphasize the usage of LNG as fuel for trucks and marine vessels.
- According to SEA-LNG, as of February 2022, there were 137 LNG-fueled ships in operation, and 350 LNG-fueled ships were on order. The rapidly growing order book for LNG-fuelled vessels has witnessed rapid growth compared to previous years and increasing numbers of ship owners and operators apprehend LNG's environmental and climate benefits.
- In January 2020, the International Maritime Organization began implementing a new regulation by placing a 0.5% global sulfur cap on marine fuels. Thus, LNG has become a more viable option as a marine fuel since it emits almost 90% lower NOx and virtually no SOx and particulate matter in comparison to the existing petroleum-based marine fuel oils. Therefore, in this clean air initiative, LNG will play a key role. This will also have a significantly positive impact on the small-scale LNG market.
- New emerging economies are also planning to lay foundation for the future of LNG for transportation. For instance, in April 2022, Mitsui O.S.K. Lines (MOL) plans to launch 110 net zero emission oceangoing vessels by 2035. In addition to promoting the wide adoption of clean energy, the Japanese carrier plans to launch 90 LNG-powered vessels by 2030 as part of its goal to promote widespread adoption of clean energy.
- Hence, owing to the above-mentioned factors, the demand for small-scale LNG infrastructure for the transportation segment is likely to grow and significantly dominate the market during the forecast period.
Asia-Pacific to Dominate the Market
- Asia-Pacific, in recent years, has been a pioneer in the implementation of small-scale LNG projects across the globe. Interest in the use of small-scale LNG (SSLNG) has increased in recent years, as the demand for natural gas continues to increase in countries like China, India, Singapore, Japan, and others.
- As of 2021, China is one of the major countries in the world that led to the growth in LNG demand. The LNG import was around 64.4 million tons in 2022. Due to this surge in demand, China became the one of the world's largest LNG importer. The increased demand is due to Chinese LNG buyers signing long-term contracts for more than 20 million tons a year.
- China's natural gas market includes domestic production and import via pipelines and LNG terminals. In China, the rising demand for small-scale LNG is from industrial, residential, and power generation sectors, with the highest potential being in the transportation sector. Growth in the number of LNG trucks due to the higher price of diesel, as compared to natural gas, is expected to be the prime reason for which small LNG facilities are growing in China.
- While in India, Small-scale LNG is in a very nascent stage, however, there are a few LNG stations, for which LNG transportation through LNG trucks is taking place. With the intention of increasing the share of natural gas to 15% in its energy mix by 2030, India is likely to construct small-scale LNG facilities for natural gas supply to remote places, with no pipeline infrastructure. For instance, in June 2022, GAIL Limited, a government-owned natural gas explorer and producer company, aimed to set up small liquefaction facilities for areas not connected to LNG pipelines. Furthermore, GAIL is likely to set up two small-scale liquefaction plants on a pilot basis.
- Small-scale LNG business in Singapore is majorly driven by the LNG bunkering facilities in the ports of Singapore. Singapore has one of the leading trade ports and is one of the global leaders in international marine shipping. In May 2021, FueLNG and the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) completed Singapore's first bunkering of an LNG-fueled oil tanker, Pacific Emerald.
- Therefore, owing to the above points, Asia-Pacific is expected to dominate the growth of the small-scale market during the forecast period.
Small Scale LNG Industry Overview
The small-scale LNG market is semi-fragmented. Some of the major players in the market (in no particular order) include Linde plc, Wartsila Oyj ABP, Shell PLC, Engie SA, and PJSC Gazprom among others.
Small Scale LNG Market Leaders
Shell PLC
Linde plc
PJSC Gazprom
Engie SA
Wartsila Oyj ABP
*Disclaimer: Major Players sorted in no particular order
Small Scale LNG Market News
- November 2023, Elengy, a unit of Engie’s GRTgaz, established a new small-scale LNG carrier loading service at its Fos Tonkin terminal on France’s Mediterranean coast.
- July 2022, Edison, an Italian energy company, and Snam, an energy infrastructure builder, agreed to collaborate on projects along the entire small-scale LNG value chain. Under the agreement, both companies will identify and develop opportunities for collaboration along the small-scale LNG value chain, including road and ship transport, liquefaction, and distribution.
- June 2022, the Gas Authority of India Limited (GAIL) ordered two small-scale Liquefaction skids capable of producing LNG on a pilot basis. These plants will distribute natural gas through liquefaction in the new city gas distribution (CGD) network and would support setting up LNG fuel stations and bunkering facilities.
Small Scale LNG Market Report - Table of Contents
1. INTRODUCTION
1.1 Scope of the Study
1.2 Market Definition
1.3 Study Assumptions
2. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
3. RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
4. MARKET OVERVIEW
4.1 Introduction
4.2 Market Size and Demand Forecast in USD, till 2028
4.3 Recent Trends and Developments
4.4 Government Policies and Regulations
4.5 Market Dynamics
4.5.1 Drivers
4.5.1.1 Increasing Investment in LNG Infrastructure
4.5.1.2 Rising Demand for LNG in Bunkering, Road Transportation, and Off-grid Power
4.5.2 Restraints
4.5.2.1 Lack of Supporting Infrastructure in the Regions such as the Middle East and Africa
4.6 Supply Chain Analysis
4.7 Porter's Five Forces Analysis
4.7.1 Bargaining Power of Suppliers
4.7.2 Bargaining Power of Consumers
4.7.3 Threat of New Entrants
4.7.4 Threat of Substitutes Products and Services
4.7.5 Intensity of Competitive Rivalry
5. MARKET SEGMENTATION
5.1 Type
5.1.1 Liquefaction Terminal
5.1.2 Regasification Terminal
5.2 Mode of Supply
5.2.1 Truck
5.2.2 Transshipment and Bunkering
5.2.3 Pipeline and Rail
5.3 Application
5.3.1 Transportation
5.3.2 Industrial Feedstock
5.3.3 Power Generation
5.3.4 Other Applications
5.4 Geography (Regional Market Analysis {Market Size and Demand Forecast till 2028 (for regions only)})
5.4.1 North America
5.4.1.1 United States
5.4.1.2 Canada
5.4.1.3 Rest of North America
5.4.2 Europe
5.4.2.1 Germany
5.4.2.2 France
5.4.2.3 United Kingdom
5.4.2.4 Rest of Europe
5.4.3 Asia-Pacific
5.4.3.1 China
5.4.3.2 India
5.4.3.3 Japan
5.4.3.4 South Korea
5.4.3.5 Rest of Asia-Pacific
5.4.4 South America
5.4.4.1 Brazil
5.4.4.2 Argentina
5.4.4.3 Rest of South America
5.4.5 Middle-East and Africa
5.4.5.1 Saudi Arabia
5.4.5.2 United Arab Emirates
5.4.5.3 South Africa
5.4.5.4 Rest of Middle-East and Africa
6. COMPETITIVE LANDSCAPE
6.1 Mergers and Acquisitions, Joint Ventures, Collaborations, and Agreements
6.2 Strategies Adopted by Leading Players
6.3 Company Profiles
6.3.1 Small-scale LNG Technology Providers
6.3.1.1 Linde plc
6.3.1.2 Wartsila Oyj ABP
6.3.1.3 Baker Hughes Company
6.3.1.4 Honeywell UoP
6.3.1.5 Chart Industries Inc.
6.3.1.6 Black & Veatch Holding Company
6.3.2 Small-scale LNG Marine Transporter
6.3.2.1 Anthony Veder Group NV
6.3.2.2 Engie SA
6.3.2.3 Evergas AS
6.3.3 Small-scale LNG Operators
6.3.3.1 Shell PLC
6.3.3.2 Eni SpA
6.3.3.3 PJSC Gazprom
6.3.3.4 TotalEnergies SE
6.3.3.5 Gasum Oy
- *List Not Exhaustive
7. MARKET OPPORTUNITIES AND FUTURE TRENDS
7.1 The Development of Cost-efficient Small-scale LNG Infrastructure
Small Scale LNG Industry Segmentation
Small-scale LNG (SSLNG) is defined as the liquefaction, regasification, and import terminals at plants with a capacity of less than 1 MTPA, according to the International Gas Union (IGU), and with applications in power generation, transportation, industrial feedstock, and other applications. For transportation, SSLNG carriers are described as vessels with an LNG storage capacity of less than 30,000 cubic meters (m³). The typical range of SSLNG storage capacity is between 500 m³ and 5,000 m³. Other elements of SSLNG include LNG bunkering facilities for LNG-fueled vessels, LNG satellite stations, and infrastructure to supply LNG as fuel for road vehicles.
The small-scale LNG market is segmented by type, mode of supply, application, and geography. By type, the market is segmented into liquefaction terminal and regasification terminal. By mode of supply, the market is segmented into truck, transshipment and bunkering, and pipeline and rail. By application, the market is segmented into transportation, industrial feedstock, power generation, and other applications. The report also covers the market size and forecasts for the small-scale LNG market across major regions. For each segment, the market sizing and forecasts have been done based on revenue (USD).
| Type | |
| Liquefaction Terminal | |
| Regasification Terminal |
| Mode of Supply | |
| Truck | |
| Transshipment and Bunkering | |
| Pipeline and Rail |
| Application | |
| Transportation | |
| Industrial Feedstock | |
| Power Generation | |
| Other Applications |
| Geography (Regional Market Analysis {Market Size and Demand Forecast till 2028 (for regions only)}) | |||||||
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Small Scale LNG Market Research FAQs
How big is the Small-scale LNG Market?
The Small-scale LNG Market size is expected to reach USD 10.70 billion in 2024 and grow at a CAGR of 10.38% to reach USD 17.53 billion by 2029.
What is the current Small-scale LNG Market size?
In 2024, the Small-scale LNG Market size is expected to reach USD 10.70 billion.
Who are the key players in Small-scale LNG Market?
Shell PLC, Linde plc, PJSC Gazprom, Engie SA and Wartsila Oyj ABP are the major companies operating in the Small-scale LNG Market.
Which is the fastest growing region in Small-scale LNG Market?
North America is estimated to grow at the highest CAGR over the forecast period (2024-2029).
Which region has the biggest share in Small-scale LNG Market?
In 2024, the Asia-Pacific accounts for the largest market share in Small-scale LNG Market.
Small Scale LNG Industry Report
Statistics for the 2024 Small-scale LNG market share, size and revenue growth rate, created by Mordor Intelligence™ Industry Reports. Small-scale LNG analysis includes a market forecast outlook to for 2024 to 2029 and historical overview. Get a sample of this industry analysis as a free report PDF download.
