According to the latest DNV “Maritime Forecast to 2050”, the number of orders for ships powered by alternative fuels has nearly caught up with the number of vessels already in operation.
The forecast projects that by 2030, the global fleet could consume more than 50 million tons of oil-equivalent low-emission fuels. This figure is double the volume required to meet the International Maritime Organization’s (IMO) emission reduction targets for 2030. However, current consumption of such fuels stands at only about 1 million tons.
The report highlights that “this widening gap between capacity and consumption underscores both the scale of the industry’s commitments and the urgent need for fuel producers and infrastructure developers to accelerate supply in line with fleet readiness.”
By 2028, the number of alternative-fuel vessels in operation is expected to nearly double. DNV describes this as a “tipping point in the alternative fuel transition,” sending a powerful signal to fuel suppliers and adjacent industries to speed up the process.
“In recent years, the industry has achieved real technical progress,” said Eirik Ovrum, lead author of the 73-page report. “But these solutions are still fragmented. To deliver impact, they must be integrated into fleet development strategies, backed by infrastructure, and recognized through regulatory compliance. That is where the next stage of work must focus.”
