Alternative fuel vessel orders surged 57% to 364 in 2026, led by LNG, but port infrastructure struggles to keep pace with this growth.
Orders for alternative fuel vessels in the global shipping sector increased by 57% in the first 10 months of 2026, reaching a total of 364. According to DNV data, LNG-fueled vessels topped the list of newbuilding orders, while Lloyd's Register warned that the alternative fuel supply infrastructure at ports is struggling to keep pace with fleet growth.
In October, a total of 53 alternative fuel vessel orders were placed. Of these, 30 were LNG-fueled vessels, while 19 were LPG carriers, and four car carriers capable of operating on ammonia fuel were also recorded.
Thus, the number of alternative fuel vessel orders rose to 364 in the January-October period of 2026. This figure indicates a 57% increase compared to the same period in 2025.
According to DNV data, 230 of the 364 alternative fuel vessel orders placed in the first 10 months of the year were for LNG-fueled vessels.
Container ships and car carriers stood out in new LNG-fueled vessel orders. Since the beginning of the year, orders for 134 container ships and 75 car carriers have been placed for LNG-fueled newbuilds.
These two vessel types account for approximately 91% of LNG-fueled vessel orders.
Jason Stefanatos, DNV Maritime Global Decarbonization Director, noted that the demand for LNG-fueled vessels is particularly concentrated in container shipping and car transportation.
Stefanatos expressed that LNG's more developed supply infrastructure and supply chain compared to other alternative fuels provide significant advantages for shipowners.
In contrast to the increase in alternative fuel vessel orders, deficiencies in the fuel supply infrastructure at ports are emerging as a significant issue in the maritime sector's energy transition.
According to the Lloyd's Register report titled 'Fuel for Thought: Ports,' there are 222 ports worldwide capable of LNG fuel supply.
In contrast, the number of ports offering methanol fuel supply remains at only 25. The first commercial supply operation for ammonia fuel was conducted in April 2026 at Ulsan Port in South Korea.
The report notes that there are 385 vessels capable of using methanol and 45 vessels capable of using ammonia in the order book, while emphasizing that the fuel supply infrastructure to serve these vessels has not yet become sufficiently widespread.
Kamran Ul Haq, Senior Vice President of Lloyd's Register Port Consultancy, emphasized that the growth rate of the alternative fuel vessel fleet has outpaced the development of port infrastructure.
Ul Haq stated that when placing new vessel orders, shipowners should evaluate not only the fuel technology that the vessel will use but also whether that fuel is available at the ports where they will operate.
According to the report, ports do not need to invest in every type of alternative fuel simultaneously. Instead, it is suggested that infrastructure investments be planned according to expected demand, shipping routes, safety requirements, and fuel supply possibilities.
The increase in alternative fuel vessel orders indicates that the global shipping sector's shift towards lower-carbon fuels is ongoing.
However, while LNG stands out due to its existing infrastructure advantages, the widespread use of fuels such as methanol, ammonia, and hydrogen requires new supply facilities, safety regulations, and trained personnel.
Data published by DNV and Lloyd's Register reveal that the transformation in the shipbuilding sector is accelerating, but it is critically important that this transformation is supported by port infrastructure.
Source: SeaNews Türkiye
