DNV’s database did not record any new alternative-fuel capable vessel orders in August, marking the first month without additions since 2018, DNV's senior consultant Kristian Hammer said in a LinkedIn post.

CHART: Alternative-fuelled vessel order landscape in August 2025. ENGINE, DNV

Deliveries have continued. Since 1 August, 10 LNG- and five methanol-fuelled vessels have entered service, bringing the current LNG-capable fleet to 781 ships and the methanol fleet to 75.

Another 624 LNG dual-fuel vessels are on order for delivery through 2033, while 362 methanol-capable ships are due by 2030.

The ammonia segment saw no changes last month, with three ammonia-capable vessels in operation and 39 more on order for delivery towards 2029.

DNV recorded two new LNG bunkering vessel orders in August, lifting the orderbook to 32 for delivery by 2028. There are also five methanol and a single ammonia bunker vessel on order through 2028.

The operational fleet now includes 62 LNG bunkering vessels and 10 methanol-specific bunker vessels.

So far in 2025, a total of 178 alternative-fuel vessel orders has been recorded, Hammer said.

That represents a 49% drop from the 350 logged in the same period last year, “albeit against the backdrop of a much slower overall newbuild market in 2025, compared to 2024,” he noted.

Forecast for 2030

The global alternative-fuel capable fleet is estimated to “almost double” by 2028, according to DNV’s maritime forecast.

These vessels are projected to consume around 50 million mt of oil-equivalent annually (mtoe/year) by 2030 — with LNG accounting for up to 44 million mtoe/year and methanol dual-fuel ships using about 6 million mtoe/year.

Shipping will need around 25 million mtoe/year to reach the IMO’s first GHG target of a 20% cut in global emissions by 2030, a demand that “shifts the spotlight to fuel producers,” Hammer said.

By Konica Bhatt

Please get in touch with comments or additional info to news@engine.online