Why Can Insulation Thickness Determine Whether an LNG Carrier Is Profitable?

Read this article to see why shipowners are actively switching to cryogenic insulation materials.

A Factor Many People Overlook

What determines the competitiveness of an LNG carrier?

Many would say its engine, speed, or deadweight capacity.

But experienced LNG operators know there is another hidden metric: boil-off rate (BOR).

Simply put, BOR is the amount of LNG that naturally evaporates each day during a voyage because of insufficient insulation.

Every kilogram that evaporates is lost cargo.

Better insulation lowers BOR, reduces cargo loss on every voyage, and improves returns for the shipowner.

This is why insulation material selection directly affects the profitability of an LNG carrier.

The Limits of Traditional Insulation

The insulation materials commonly used in LNG/LPG carrier tanks fall into three main categories:

• Porous materials (such as expanded perlite)

• Fibrous materials (such as glass wool)

• Cellular materials (such as polyurethane foam and polystyrene)

These materials have been used in buildings for decades.

The technology is mature and relatively inexpensive.

The problem is: LNG carriers operate under far harsher conditions than ordinary buildings. Tank temperatures can fall to -162°C for LNG, or even lower. At sea, the hull is continuously exposed to vibration, impact, and pressure changes.

Insulation thickness is tightly restricted because excessive thickness takes up valuable cargo space.

Traditional materials often require 500mm or more to provide adequate insulation.

Every extra millimetre of insulation means less cargo capacity.

VacuEco VPU Composite Panel: 40mm Delivers the Performance of 100mm

VacuEco VPU, a metal-envelope vacuum insulation panel and polyurethane composite module ["VIP + PIR/PU Composite Insulation Panel"], is a new cryogenic insulation material developed by Super Tech.

It combines a high-performance metal-envelope vacuum insulation panel (VIP) with polyurethane (PU), delivering extremely low thermal conductivity in a modular, engineering-ready system.

One of the main advantages of the VPU developed by Super Tech is: It is designed for LNG and LPG carrier tank insulation, delivering exceptional thermal performance at a much lower thickness.

Specifically: A 40mm VPU panel provides the same insulation performance as 100mm of polyurethane foam.

The composite thermal conductivity is extremely low, approximately 1.2mW/m·K (0.0012W/m·K), with stable performance under cryogenic conditions.

The core is a stainless-steel-encapsulated vacuum insulation panel (BVP), laminated with polyisocyanurate (PIR) foam.

This means: For the same tank size, VacuEco VPU creates more usable cargo volume. It is easy to install, strong, thermally efficient, and reliable. It is suitable not only for LNG/LPG carrier tanks but also for any self-supporting tank, directly improving the economics of each vessel.

Why a Composite Panel Instead of a Standalone VIP?

VIPs offer excellent thermal performance, but they have a critical weakness: they are vulnerable to damage and vacuum loss.

Once punctured, their insulation performance drops sharply.

VacuEco VPU solves this through: 

• Armour-like strength: A proprietary stainless-steel BVP protects the vacuum layer like armour, eliminating the leakage and swelling risks of conventional pouch-type VIPs.

• Its rigid base shell is hot-pressed for excellent deformation and puncture resistance.

• Maximum cryogenic protection: The PIR foam cover is designed for -196°C to -100°C conditions and offers better fire performance than conventional polyurethane.

• Easy installation: The modules are bonded with a cryogenic-grade adhesive for faster installation.

  
  

Armour-like strength, maximum cryogenic protection, and easy installation are all essential.

What Does This Mean for Shipowners and Shipyards?

Global LNG fleet expansion is accelerating.

Industry reports forecast the global LNG carrier insulation panel market to reach USD 1.85 billion by 2031, with a CAGR of 15.3%.

Suppliers that combine thinner materials, more stable performance, and faster installation will win more orders.

VacuEco VPU was developed for this market.

For more efficient insulation solutions for LNG/LPG carriers, follow us for cryogenic insulation solutions.

Glossary