The push for alternative fuels held firm in 2025 despite a global newbuild slump, reported Ventura, California's gCaptain.

DNV data showed that alternative-fuelled vessels accounted for 38 per cent of gross tonnage in the orderbook, even as overall newbuild orders fell from 4,405 in 2024 to 2,403 in 2025. This resilience came almost entirely from the container sector, which lifted orders from 447 to 547 ships year on year.

Container vessels made up 49 per cent of total gross tonnage and 68 per cent of all alternative-fuel new orders. LNG dominated the mix at 58 per cent by tonnage, followed by conventional fuels at 36 per cent and methanol at 6 per cent.

Outside of containers, orders slumped across LPG and ethane carriers, car carriers, bulkers, and tankers. LNG-fuelled ships led the market overall with 188 orders, while methanol newbuilds dropped to 61 from 149 a year earlier.

DNV executives stated that cargo-owner commitments and established fuel infrastructure were sustaining momentum despite regulatory uncertainty. Infrastructure spending added 22 LNG bunker vessels and new methanol and biofuel supply ships, underscoring confidence in multi-fuel capabilities.