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Besides these LNG-powered container vessels, there was also one order for an ammonia-fuelled general cargo vessel in February.
DNV said that a total of 45 alternative-fuelled vessels have been ordered in the first two months of this year, representing a 35 percent decrease compared to the first two months of 2024.
This is due to low order activity in January, including for conventional-fuelled vessels, and this month’s total is the highest since October 2024.
DNV added 12 LNG-powered containerships to its platform in January.
“LNG remains the headline story, with a clear continuation of the trend towards these vessels evident since mid-2024. Again, this is being driven by the container segment, highlighting the importance of the voluntary market in driving maritime decarbonization,” Jason Stefanatos, global decarbonization director at DNV Maritime said.
“Based on vessels already in the orderbook, the number of LNG vessels in operation is set to almost double by the end of the decade, and the need for supporting LNG bunkering infrastructure is intensifying. It is, therefore, especially encouraging to see a surge in the ordering of LNG bunkering vessels in February,” he said.
689 LNG-powered ships in operation
DNV’s platform shows that there are now 689 LNG-powered ships in operation and 631 LNG-fueled vessels on order.
Moreover, 166 LNG-powered containerships and 78 LNG-powered crude oil tankers are in operation, followed by 74 oil/chemical tankers and 69 car carriers.
As per vessels on order, LNG-powered containerships account for a big part of the orders with 331 units. Shipping firms also ordered 141 car carriers, 48 crude oil tankers, 42 oil and chemical tankers, and 24 cruise ships.
These statistics do not include smaller inland vessels or dual-fuel LNG carriers.
DNV previously said that a record of 264 LNG-powered ships were ordered in 2024, while the number of LNG bunker vessels in operation grew from 52 to 64 over the last year.
In addition to 1320 confirmed LNG-powered ships, the fleet powered by alternative fuels includes 390 methanol-fueled vessels, 270 LPG-powered ships, 40 hydrogen-fueled vessels, and 34 ammonia-fueled vessels.