LNG Bunkering Hotspots: Top Ports in Europe, Asia & Beyond

As the shipping industry shifts toward cleaner fuels, LNG bunkering is rapidly expanding across key global ports. With increasing environmental regulations and the push for lower-emission alternatives, more shipowners are turning to liquefied natural gas (LNG) to power their fleets. But not all ports are equal when it comes to LNG availability, cost, and infrastructure.

Today, we highlight five of the leading LNG bunkering hubs in Europe, Asia, North America, the Middle East, and Australiaโ€”key locations where ship operators can refuel efficiently while keeping costs in check.

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Europe / Asia / North America / Middle East / Australia

๐Ÿ‡ช๐Ÿ‡บ Europe: Top LNG Bunkering Ports

LNG bunkering in Europe is expanding fast, driven by strict emissions regulations and rising fleet demand. While some ports offer competitive pricing, others see higher costs due to infrastructure investments and environmental levies. Below are five of the most important LNG bunkering hubs in Europe, with insights on their infrastructure, regulations, notable operators, and cost trends.

ShipUniverse: Top LNG Bunkering Ports in Europe
Port Infrastructure Regulations Notable Operators Cost Trends
Rotterdam, Netherlands ๐Ÿ‡ณ๐Ÿ‡ฑ Europe's largest LNG bunkering hub, featuring multiple facilities, including the Gate LNG terminal. The port reported a 52% increase in LNG demand, reaching 0.94 million cubic meters in 2024. Complies with stringent EU FuelEU Maritime regulations, promoting LNG as a transitional fuel. Shell, Titan LNG, Gasunie, Vopak Moderate to high; influenced by increasing demand and stringent environmental policies.
Zeebrugge, Belgium ๐Ÿ‡ง๐Ÿ‡ช Major LNG terminal handling imports and transshipments, offering both ship-to-ship and truck-to-ship bunkering. Recent EU sanctions targeting Russian LNG may impact operations. Adheres to EU environmental policies; upcoming restrictions on Russian LNG could affect supply dynamics. Fluxys Low to Moderate; potential fluctuations due to geopolitical factors and supply chain adjustments.
Barcelona, Spain ๐Ÿ‡ช๐Ÿ‡ธ Leading LNG bunkering port in Spain, with a 60% increase in LNG bunker demand, reaching 229,750 mยณ in 2024. Complies with EU environmental regulations promoting LNG as a marine fuel. Enagรกs, Shell Moderate; competitive pricing supported by growing demand and established infrastructure.
Gibraltar ๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ฎ Strategic bunkering hub between the Atlantic and Mediterranean, offering LNG bunkering through ship-to-ship transfers. Adheres to International Maritime Organization (IMO) and EU emission reduction standards, encouraging alternative fuels like LNG. Peninsula Moderate; strategic location offers competitive pricing for vessels transiting major shipping lanes.
Brunsbรผttel, Germany ๐Ÿ‡ฉ๐Ÿ‡ช Hosts the Elbehafen LNG terminal, a key facility for LNG bunkering in northern Europe. Follows German national and EU environmental policies, encouraging LNG adoption. Brunsbรผttel Ports GmbH Moderate; pricing is stable but influenced by European gas market fluctuations.

๐Ÿ‡ฆ๐Ÿ‡ธ Asia: Top LNG Bunkering Ports

Asia's maritime industry is rapidly adopting Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) as a cleaner fuel alternative, driven by stringent environmental regulations and a commitment to sustainable shipping practices. Several key ports have emerged as leaders in LNG bunkering, offering robust infrastructure and services to meet the growing demand.

ShipUniverse: Top LNG Bunkering Ports in Asia
Port Infrastructure Regulations Notable Operators Cost Trends
Singapore ๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฌ The world's largest LNG bunkering hub, with extensive infrastructure including ship-to-ship and terminal-to-ship operations. Singapore saw a record 54.92 million metric tons of marine fuel sales in 2024, reflecting its growing LNG adoption. Stringent environmental policies and mandatory digital bunkering notes starting in April 2025 for increased transparency. MPA Singapore, Pavilion Energy, FueLNG Moderate to high; pricing influenced by global LNG supply fluctuations and port service costs.
Shanghai, China ๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ณ Yangshan Port in Shanghai is China's largest LNG bunkering port, handling over 444,000 cubic meters of LNG in 2024, a 73% increase from the previous year. It ranks as the third-largest LNG bunkering port globally. Chinaโ€™s national environmental policies strongly support LNG adoption, in line with IMO regulations. ENN Energy, China National Petroleum Corporation Low to Moderate; competitive pricing due to domestic LNG production and government support.
Busan, South Korea ๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ท South Koreaโ€™s largest port, ranking sixth globally in bunkering volume. The port supplied 5.78 million metric tons of marine fuel in 2023 and is investing heavily in LNG bunkering facilities. Follows South Koreaโ€™s environmental targets and IMO regulations promoting LNG as a marine fuel. Korea Gas Corporation (KOGAS), Busan Port Authority Moderate; stable pricing supported by government incentives for LNG-powered vessels.
Hong Kong ๐Ÿ‡ญ๐Ÿ‡ฐ A key bunkering port in the Asia-Pacific region, benefiting from its strategic location and high shipping traffic. The port is expanding its LNG capabilities to meet global sustainability trends. Complies with IMO regulations and Hong Kongโ€™s air pollution control policies encouraging LNG use. Shell, ExxonMobil Moderate; competitive pricing due to well-established infrastructure and regional demand.
Zhoushan, China ๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ณ China's largest overall bunkering port, supplying over 7.04 million metric tons of fuel in 2023. It is undergoing major LNG infrastructure upgrades to support increased demand. Aligned with Chinaโ€™s carbon reduction goals and global maritime emissions standards. CNOOC, China Gas Holdings Moderate; pricing influenced by domestic LNG supply and evolving government policies.

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ฆ North America: Top LNG Bunkering Ports

North America's maritime industry is increasingly embracing Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) as a cleaner alternative to traditional marine fuels. Several ports across the continent have developed robust LNG bunkering infrastructures to support this transition. Below is an overview of the top five LNG bunkering ports in North America:โ€‹

ShipUniverse: Top LNG Bunkering Ports in North America
Port Infrastructure Regulations Notable Operators Cost Trends
Vancouver, Canada ๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ฆ Conducted its first LNG bunkering operation in March 2025, with Mitsui OSK Lines bunkering its LNG-fueled car carrier in English Bay. Adheres to Canadian environmental regulations and international standards promoting LNG as a marine fuel. Seaspan, FortisBC Moderate to high; pricing influenced by regional LNG supply and infrastructure development.
Jacksonville, Florida, USA ๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ธ Home to the JAX LNG facility, operational since 2018, offering ship-to-ship and truck-to-ship LNG bunkering services. The port has access to two LNG bunker barges, the Clean Canaveral and Clean Everglades, serving multiple customers in the southeast United States. Complies with U.S. Coast Guard and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulations promoting LNG as a marine fuel. JAX LNG, Seaside LNG Moderate; competitive pricing due to domestic LNG production and established infrastructure.
Port Fourchon, Louisiana, USA ๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ธ A key Gulf Coast port supporting offshore oil and gas operations, offering LNG bunkering services to various vessel types. Adheres to federal and state environmental regulations encouraging the use of cleaner marine fuels like LNG. Energy World USA Low to Moderate; pricing benefits from proximity to natural gas production and processing facilities.
Houston, Texas, USA ๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ธ A major bunkering port with vast refining capacities, making strides in LNG bunkering to become a leader in alternative marine fuels. Complies with stringent environmental regulations promoting LNG as a cleaner marine fuel. Port of Houston Authority Moderate; competitive pricing due to proximity to refining capacities and infrastructure development.
Savannah, Georgia, USA ๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ธ Recently initiated LNG bunkering operations, with the inaugural bunkering of the CMA CGM Symi conducted by JAX LNG and Seaside LNG. Follows federal and state environmental policies promoting LNG as a marine fuel. JAX LNG, Seaside LNG Moderate; pricing influenced by emerging infrastructure and regional LNG supply.

๐Ÿ‡ฆ๐Ÿ‡ช Middle East: Top LNG Bunkering Ports

The Middle East is rapidly developing its Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) bunkering infrastructure to meet the growing global demand for cleaner marine fuels. Strategically located along major shipping routes, these ports are enhancing their capabilities to support sustainable maritime operations. Below is an overview of prominent LNG bunkering ports in the Middle East, highlighting their infrastructure, regulations, notable operators, and cost trends.โ€‹

ShipUniverse: Top LNG Bunkering Ports in the Middle East
Port Infrastructure Regulations Notable Operators Cost Trends
Port of Fujairah, UAE ๐Ÿ‡ฆ๐Ÿ‡ช As the world's second-largest bunkering hub, Port of Fujairah has been enhancing its LNG bunkering capabilities to meet the increasing demand for cleaner marine fuels. The port's strategic location outside the Strait of Hormuz makes it a pivotal refueling point for vessels transiting the Arabian Gulf and international shipping lanes. Adheres to International Maritime Organization (IMO) regulations and UAE's environmental policies promoting LNG as a marine fuel. Port of Fujairah Authority, VTTI, Brooge Petroleum and Gas Investment Company Low to Moderate; competitive pricing due to strategic location and established infrastructure.
Sohar Port, Oman ๐Ÿ‡ด๐Ÿ‡ฒ Sohar Port is developing the Marsa LNG project, set to be the Middle East's first dedicated LNG bunkering hub. The project includes a 1 million tonnes per annum (mtpa) LNG liquefaction plant and a 165,000 mยณ LNG storage tank, with operations expected to commence in the first quarter of 2028. Complies with Oman's environmental regulations and international standards promoting LNG as a marine fuel. TotalEnergies, OQ Alternative Energy Moderate to high; initial infrastructure investments may influence pricing.
Jebel Ali Port, UAE ๐Ÿ‡ฆ๐Ÿ‡ช Jebel Ali Port has initiated LNG bunkering operations, with companies like Monjasa conducting the first LNG bunkering in the region. The port is enhancing its infrastructure to support LNG bunkering services. Adheres to IMO regulations and UAE's environmental policies promoting LNG as a marine fuel. DP World, Monjasa Moderate; pricing influenced by emerging infrastructure and regional LNG supply.
Ras Laffan Industrial City, Qatar ๐Ÿ‡ถ๐Ÿ‡ฆ Ras Laffan is Qatar's main site for LNG production and hosts the world's largest LNG export facility. While traditionally focused on exports, the port is exploring LNG bunkering services to cater to the growing demand for cleaner marine fuels. Complies with Qatar's environmental regulations and international standards promoting LNG as a marine fuel. QatarEnergy, Qatargas Moderate; pricing benefits from domestic LNG production and established infrastructure.

๐Ÿ‡ฆ๐Ÿ‡บ Australia: Top LNG Bunkering Ports

Australia is progressively developing its Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) bunkering infrastructure to support the global shift towards cleaner marine fuels. Given its substantial natural gas reserves and strategic location along key shipping routes, Australia is well-positioned to become a significant player in the LNG bunkering sector. Below is an overview of notable LNG bunkering ports in Australia, highlighting their infrastructure, regulations, notable operators, and cost trends.โ€‹

ShipUniverse: Top LNG Bunkering Ports in Australia
Port Infrastructure Regulations Notable Operators Cost Trends
Port Hedland, Western Australia ๐Ÿ‡ฆ๐Ÿ‡บ Plans are underway to establish LNG bunkering operations, including a new facility for converting pipeline natural gas to LNG. Adheres to Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) regulations and international standards promoting LNG as a marine fuel. Oceania Marine Energy, Pilbara Clean Fuels High; pricing influenced by developing infrastructure and regional market dynamics.
Fremantle, Western Australia ๐Ÿ‡ฆ๐Ÿ‡บ Licensed to provide truck-to-ship LNG bunkering services, supporting various vessel types. Complies with AMSA regulations and local environmental policies encouraging LNG use. EVOL LNG Moderate to High; competitive pricing due to established infrastructure and proximity to LNG sources.
Gladstone, Queensland ๐Ÿ‡ฆ๐Ÿ‡บ Hosts LNG export facilities and is exploring LNG bunkering capabilities to serve the maritime industry. Follows AMSA guidelines and Queensland's environmental regulations promoting cleaner marine fuels. Gladstone Ports Corporation High; pricing influenced by existing LNG export infrastructure and regional demand.