Shipbuilders saw a promising increase in orders for vessels powered by alternative fuels in April, with methanol and LNG taking center stage. According to the latest data from the Norwegian classification society DNV’s Alternative Fuels Insight (AFI) platform, a total of 49 new orders were recorded, marking a 5% rise compared to the same month last year, despite an overall slowdown in new vessel orders.
Key Highlights:
- Methanol and LNG remain the dominant alternative fuels, with 24 and 20 new orders, respectively.
- Methanol is making a strong comeback, particularly in container ships (14 orders), RoPax vessels (9), and one tanker order.
- LNG-fueled vessels include 16 container ships, two cruise ships, and two RoPax vessels.
- Notably, two new cruise ships are slated to be powered by hydrogen, including the Viking Libra, set to be the world’s first hydrogen-fueled cruise ship with zero emissions. Viking has also announced plans for two more vessels with Fincantieri, to be delivered in 2031.
- The Viking Libra is already under construction at Fincantieri’s Ancona shipyard. Its successor, Viking Astrea, scheduled for delivery in 2027, will also be hydrogen-powered. It will feature a hybrid propulsion system based partly on liquefied hydrogen and fuel cells, enabling zero-emission navigation.
Looking at the Year-to-Date (January-April):
- Orders for vessels with alternative fuels total 72 with LNG
- 36 with methanol
- 7 with LPG
- 3 with ammonia
- 2 with hydrogen
The high concentration of container ship orders reflects ongoing demand, while the uptick in RoPax, cruise, and other vessel categories indicates broader adoption of alternative fuels.
Industry Expert Insight: “Seeing similar orders for LNG and methanol shows how owners are balancing fuel flexibility, availability, and specific operational needs,” stated Jason Stefanatos, DNV’s Global Decarbonization Director.
Fleet Overview:
- Excluding LNG carriers, around 680 LNG-fueled ships are in operation, with nearly as many under construction.
- About 60 ships operate with methanol, with another 340 on order.
AFI: A Digital Platform for Maritime Sustainability
As the shipping industry faces increasing pressure to reduce its environmental impact, DNV’s AFI platform provides a vital resource. As a digital hub, AFI offers free tools for analyzing and visualizing the adoption of alternative fuels and technologies, supporting shipowners, fuel suppliers, shipyards, and regulators in making data-driven decisions. Its development aligns with IMO’s goal to cut greenhouse gas emissions by 50% by 2050, promoting a transition toward cleaner energy sources like ammonia, hydrogen, methanol, LNG, and LPG.
