Global LNG Maritime Transportation Network: A Systematic Review of Progress and Trends

With the global energy system undergoing a transition toward green and low-carbon systems, the scale of liquefied natural gas (LNG) maritime transportation has expanded rapidly. Influenced by a combination of factors including the global economy, geopolitics, energy policies, and environmental conditions, the Liquefied Natural Gas Maritime Transportation Network (LMTN) exhibits a high degree of structural complexity and has gradually emerged as a prominent research focus in the field. This study provides a comprehensive review of the current research progress on LMTN. First, the concept of LMTN is introduced and the major stages of its research development are highlighted. Second, LMTN construction methods are systematically summarized with data sources, theoretical foundations, and application scenarios, thereby establishing a technical framework for global LMTN research. Subsequently, bibliometric analysis is also employed to extract representative publications and reveal the knowledge structure, historical evolution, and emerging research frontiers of the field. Finally, from three technical perspectives—methodology, data, and computational power—this study discusses existing limitations and challenges, and identifies future development trends of LMTN research driven by big data and artificial intelligence. Overall, this study aims to provide scientific guidance for future LMTN research and theoretical support for enhancing the security and resilience of global energy transportation systems.