LNG container ship orders are still leading the pack, DNV’s latest Alternative Fuels Insight (AFI) reveals – and it is soaring ahead compared with other ship sectors when it comes to methanol newbuild orders
There are currently 76 methanol dual-fuel ships on order in the box ship sector. This accounts for a large amount of the 115 confirmed methanol ships (consisting of 89 on order and 26 in operation).
There are currently 904 confirmed LNG-fuelled ships across all sectors (consisting of current orders and the existing fleet), with 187 LNG-fuelled container ships on order and 47 in the current container ship fleet.
Latest figures from AFI show 19 vessels with alternative-fuel propulsion were ordered in April - 10 of which were orders for LNG-driven vessels and nine for methanol-powered vessels. DNV said the growth was driven by tanker and container ship orders. So far this year, the figure for alternative-fuel vessels stands at 63.
DNV Maritime Advisory business principal consultant Martin Wold commented, “It is great to see a growing diversification in orders for alternative-fuel-powered vessels and the methanol momentum continuing. However, as newbuild orders are now turning more towards tankers and bulkers, it is likely the overall share of alternative fuels in the orderbook decreases.”
Riviera Maritime Media’s Methanol: accelerating the container shipping industry’s energy transition webinar takes place 30 May. Use this link to sign up.
Riviera Maritime Media’s LNG: a bridge to net zero for box ship operators webinar takes place 31 May. Use this link to sign up
© 2023 Riviera Maritime Media Ltd.