August saw 52 new vessels added to DNV’s Alternative Fuels Insight (AFI) platform, the highest monthly total since October 2024. Combined with July’s 47 orders, this brings the two-month total to 99 vessels and lifts year-to-date orders to 242, 27% higher than at the same point in 2025.
LNG continues to dominate new orders, accounting for 63% of all alternative-fuelled vessels ordered so far this year. Much of this activity is concentrated in the container and car carrier segments, which have been among the earliest adopters of alternative fuels. Predictable liner operations, established bunkering opportunities, and increasing pressure to reduce emissions across supply chains have all helped drive uptake in these markets. For many owners, LNG offers a combination of emissions reductions, fuel availability and future flexibility while the longer-term fuel landscape continues to evolve.
At the same time, August also brought orders for ethanol- and hydrogen-fuelled bulk carriers. The volumes remain modest, but they reflect an industry that continues to explore multiple pathways as fuel technologies, infrastructure and regulations evolve. The latest figures also underline that there is no one-size-fits-all route to decarbonization. Different segments are pursuing different fuel strategies, but the strong level of ordering seen over the summer is an encouraging sign that investment in alternative-fuelled shipping remains robust.
Get more detailed insights on AFI:
https://dnv.social/66O #AFI #newbuilds #decarbonization
Sourcing :
Jason Stefanatos
Global Decarbonization Director, DNV | Maritime Decarbonization & Energy Transition | Alternative Fuels, Energy Efficiency
Greece
