Global Marine LNG Terminals, Tankers & Trade: A High-Resolution AIS-Based Dataset of LNG Trade (2020–2024)

Zhou, C., Ciais, P., Mittakola, R.T., Zhu, B. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9360-6797, Su, Y., & Xu, Y. (2026). Global Marine LNG Terminals, Tankers & Trade: A High-Resolution AIS-Based Dataset of LNG Trade (2020–2024). Scientific Data 10.1038/s41597-026-07454-2. (In Press)

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Abstract

We introduce a daily-resolution dataset capturing global maritime liquefied natural gas (LNG) trade flows from 2020 to 2024, derived from Automatic Identification System (AIS) vessel tracking and port call records. The dataset, LNG-T3, integrates LNG tanker fleet specifications, LNG terminal metadata, and AIS-based vessel position and draught reports to map global maritime LNG trade flows. It provides individual LNG tanker export and return voyage events, as well as daily LNG volumes for tanker transport, terminal throughput, and country-to-country trade. The LNG-T3 dataset reveals the major shift in global LNG trade following the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine, including a redirection of exports from China to the EU and increased Russian LNG exports to Europe despite the conflict. The United States became the world’s largest LNG exporter, boosting exports to Europe to replace Russian pipeline gas. By offering comprehensive tanker, infrastructure, and trade information, the LNG-T3 dataset enables future analyses of market dynamics, infrastructure bottlenecks, broader geopolitical factors shaping international LNG trade, and climate impacts of the LNG industry.

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