Global demand for LNG as a marine fuel is set to surge dramatically over the coming decade, according to Shell’s LNG Outlook 2026 report. The energy firm forecasts that LNG bunker demand will increase sevenfold to reach 27 million metric tonnes by 2035, driven by continued expansion of the LNG-fuelled vessel fleet.
A Decade of Rapid Infrastructure Growth
The scale of LNG bunkering’s growth over the past decade is striking. According to Shell’s report, the number of ports offering LNG bunkering services has grown from just 10 in 2016 to 222 locations by 2025. Over the same period, the global LNG-fuelled fleet expanded from 81 vessels to 877.
The report, published on Tuesday, June 30, extends its demand outlook even further, projecting LNG bunker consumption to reach approximately 45 million mt by 2045.
Supply Capacity on the Rise
Shell’s report highlights that around 180 million mt per year of new liquefaction capacity is expected to enter the market by 2030. The company says this will improve LNG availability and support growth across sectors. However, Shell cautions that further investment in both liquefaction projects and import infrastructure will be required through the 2030s and 2040s to keep pace with rising demand.
On the broader market, overall global LNG cargo demand is expected to climb by around 65% from 2025 levels, approaching 700 million mt per year by 2050, according to the report.
Strait of Hormuz Disruption Tested Market Resilience
Shell’s report also touched on recent geopolitical pressures affecting LNG trade flows. The company noted that disruptions to shipping through the Strait of Hormuz tested the market, but said the LNG sector demonstrated resilience — with additional North American supply and flexible trade routing helping to offset reduced exports from the Middle East.
Does This Matter to You?
The continued buildout of LNG bunkering infrastructure — now spanning 222 global locations — signals a maturing supply network that shipping stakeholders across the value chain are increasingly navigating. For those involved in vessel procurement, fuel planning, or route logistics, the scale of fleet growth and projected demand shifts underscores LNG’s deepening role in the marine fuel mix. The supply-demand dynamics Shell outlines, including potential tightness through the 2030s if infrastructure investment lags, are developments worth monitoring closely for anyone with exposure to LNG-fuelled operations or fuel cost structures.
Gulf Bunkering does not provide operational or security guidance. This article is for informational purposes only. Operators should consult flag state authorities, P&I clubs, and relevant advisories for decisions relating to transit planning.
Sources: Ship & Bunker
