A ship based system for compressed natural gas transport that utilizes a ship having a plurality of gas cylinders. The invention is characterized by the plurality of gas cylinders configured into a plurality of compressed gas storage cells. Each compressed gas storage cell consists of between 3 and 30 gas cylinders connected by a cell manifold to a single control valve. A high pressure manifold is provided including means for connection to shore terminals. A low pressure manifold is provided including means for connection to shore terminals. A submanifold extends between each control valve to connect each storage cell to both the high pressure manifold and the low pressure manifold. Valves are provided for controlling the flow of gas through the high pressure manifold and the low pressure manifold.