Classification society DNV said that owners placed a record number of orders for LNG-powered ships in 2021 as they look to slash emissions and costs.
This is despite sky-high LNG bunkering prices in the second half of this year and a very slow end to the year with only two LNG-fueled ships ordered in December, according to DNV’s Alternative Fuels Insight platform.
September still holds the record with 35 orders for LNG-powered vessels.
“The 2021 count ended at a net increase of 240 ships, more than the previous four years combined,” Martin Wold, principal consultant at DNV, said.
Wold said that the ships contracted in 2021 had added more than 3 mtpa to global LNG bunkering demand.
The DNV platform shows that 251 LNG-powered ships are already in operation with 403 on order.
LNG-powered car and passenger ferries continue to lead the way with 43 in operation, followed by 30 offshore supply ships, and 30 oil/chemical tankers. There are now 28 LNG-powered containerships and 25 crude oil tankers in operation as well.
As per vessels on order, LNG-powered containerships and car carriers account for a big part of the orders with 98 and 56 units, respectively. Owners also ordered 55 LNG-powered crude oil tankers and 49 bulk carriers.
These statistics do not include smaller inland vessels.
