Knut Ørbeck-Nilssen, CEO of Maritime at DNV, noted that despite a general slowdown in newbuilding activity, orders for alternative-fuel ships are expected to continue growing steadily in 2025.
According to data from DNV’s Alternative Fuels Insight (AFI) platform, orders for alternative-fuel ships reached 19.8 million gross tons (GT) in the first half of 2025 — a 78% increase compared to the same period in 2024.
This surge reflects a significant shift in capital allocation, as shipowners increasingly prioritize future-ready, sustainable assets in response to tightening regulations, improved fuel availability, and long-term decarbonization goals.
LNG remains the dominant alternative fuel, with 87 new ships ordered (totaling 14.2 million GT), including 81 container ships (13.6 million GT).
Methanol also continues its strong momentum, with 40 ships ordered across segments such as container vessels, RoPax ferries, tankers, offshore vessels, and car carriers — totaling 4.6 million GT.
While still niche, ammonia and hydrogen are gaining early traction. In 2025, three ammonia-fueled vessels (37,000 GT) and four hydrogen-powered ships (114,000 GT) were added to the global orderbook — a sign of growing confidence in their long-term viability.
Supporting infrastructure is also expanding. In the first half of the year, 13 LNG bunker vessels were ordered, bringing the global total to 62. February marked a record month for this segment with eight orders placed.
This growth underscores the tight alignment between alternative-fuel vessel orders and the supporting logistics needed to scale deployment — particularly in LNG, where bunkering capabilities are becoming a critical enabler for further adoption.
According to DNV, these trends highlight the shipping industry’s continued shift toward sustainable solutions and a stronger focus on decarbonization and energy efficiency.
