Alternative fuel vessel orders roar back in Q3 – DNV

August saw the highest monthly alternative-fuel vessel orders since October 2024, led overwhelmingly by LNG-capable newbuilds, according to DNV senior consultant Kristian Hammer.

LNG accounted for 46 of the 52 alternative-fuel vessel orders placed in August, Hammer said.

Container ships led LNG orders with 30 vessels, followed by 12 car carriers.

There are now 942 LNG-capable vessels in operation and another 705 on order for delivery towards 2033.

Beyond LNG, August brought four orders for ethanol-capable bulk carriers and two for hydrogen-capable bulk carriers. DNV reported no new LPG-, methanol- or ammonia-capable vessel orders during the month.

DNV's Alternative Fuels Insight (AFI) database currently lists a combined 159 methanol- and ethanol-capable vessels in operation, with another 293 on order for delivery by 2030.

The ammonia-capable fleet remains much smaller, with five vessels in operation and 41 on order towards 2030.

“The strong August performance follows another active month in July, when 47 alternative-fuelled vessels were added to the database,” Hammer said.

Together, July and August “represent a notable upswing in market activity after a slower start to 2026”, he added.

By Konica Bhatt

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