DNV said on Monday that a total of 17 new orders for alternative-fuelled vessels were placed last month.
All of the 14 LNG dual-fueled orders were placed by the container segment, while the remaining three orders were for dual-fueled ethane gas carriers.
According to DNV, a total of 37 alternative-fueled vessels, including 30 LNG dual-fuel vessels, have been ordered in the first two months of the year, compared to 54 in the first two months of 2025.
A further two orders were also placed for LNG bunkering vessels in February, continuing the steady expansion of the LNG bunkering orderbook, in line with the growing LNG-fueled fleet, it said.
“These figures mark a relatively slow month in the alternative-fueled space, with activity notably lower than the same period last year. LNG again dominates the orderbook, driven largely by container operators responding to cargo-owner expectations for lower-emission transport,” Jason Stefanatos, global decarbonization director at DNV Maritime, said.
He said it is also “encouraging to see continued growth in the LNG bunkering fleet, reflecting the increasing need for supporting infrastructure as more LNG-fuelled vessels enter operation.”
“On a broader level, these figures underline that the fuel transition is progressing, albeit at a more measured pace than we have seen over the past two years,” Stefanatos said.
873 LNG-powered ships in operation
DNV’s Alternative Fuels Insight (AFI) platform shows that there are now 873 LNG-powered ships in operation and 653 LNG-fueled vessels on order.
Moreover, 236 LNG-powered containerships and 134 LNG-powered car carriers are in operation, followed by 86 oil/chemical tankers, and 83 crude carriers.
As per vessels on order, LNG-powered containerships account for a big part of the orders with 410 units. Shipping firms also ordered 91 car carriers, 43 crude oil tankers, and 39 oil and chemical tankers.
These statistics do not include smaller inland vessels or dual-fuel LNG carriers.
In addition to 1526 confirmed LNG-powered ships, the fleet powered by alternative fuels includes 451 methanol-fueled vessels, 323 LPG-powered ships, 495 ammonia-fueled vessels, and 37 hydrogen-fueled vessels.
