Alternative-fuel vessel orders dropped in H1 2026, with LNG leading the market. DNV reports 134 orders, down from 155 in 2025.
Orders for alternative-fuelled vessels fell in the first half of 2026 compared to last year, although LNG continues to dominate the market, reports Denmark's Shipping Telegraph.
Data from DNV's Alternative Fuels Insight platform revealed that 134 orders were placed in the first six months of 2026, a decrease from 155 in the same period of 2025. Notably, June alone saw 15 new orders.
LNG remains the leading near-term option, accounting for 70 orders and 61 deliveries so far this year. The container and car carrier segments led the activity, with 42 and 21 orders, respectively.
In contrast, LPG and ethane carriers experienced stronger-than-expected demand, with 55 orders compared to just 15 in the first half of 2025.
Jason Stefanatos, Global Decarbonization Director at DNV, stated that the market is progressing at different speeds depending on segment economics, fuel availability, and regulatory frameworks. He added that developments in ammonia- and ethanol-fuelled vessels indicate that new pathways are being explored.
