DNV: 18 LNG-powered vessels ordered in December, 2023 orders drop

Classification society DNV has added 18 LNG-powered ships to its Alternative Fuels Insight platform in December. In total, 130 LNG-powered vessels were ordered last year, down from 222 in 2022.

DNV said that a total of 298 ships with alternative fuel propulsion were ordered in 2023 – an 8 percent increase compared to the last year.

These include orders for 138 methanol-powered vessels, 130 LNG-powered vessels, and 11 ammonia-powered vessels.

DNV said that methanol proved the most popular alternative fuel choice in 2023. However, when looking at newbuilds alone LNG would be in the lead as a considerable proportion of methanol orders were for retrofits, it said.

Last year also saw LNG finally break the 1000 vessel barrier (excluding LNG carriers), showing the fuel’s continued importance in the maritime energy transition, DNV said.

In 2023, the containers segment was the most active (48) for LNG, followed by car carriers (40), and tankers (30).

“Investments in alternative-fueled vessels have been heavily driven by the container and car carrier newbuild boom over the last three years. It remains to be seen if this trend continues into 2024,” Martin Wold, principal consultant in DNV’s maritime advisory business, said.

469 LNG-powered ships in operation

The 18 orders for LNG-powered vessels in December compare to four in November and six in October.

DNV reported orders for eight LNG-powered ships in September, 21 vessels in August, and 14 vessels in July, while in June there were orders for 26 LNG-powered ships, the highest monthly number of vessels last year.

The January-May period of 2023 was slow for LNG-powered newbuild orders after a record 2022 with 222 orders.

DNV’s platform shows that there are now 469 LNG-powered ships in operation, while owners placed orders for 537 LNG-fueled vessels.

LNG-powered crude oil tankers lead the way with 74 in operation, followed by 71 containerships, 50 oil/chemical tankers, and 43 car and passenger ferries.

As per vessels on order, LNG-powered containerships account for a big part of the orders with 201 units. Shipping firms also ordered 151 car carriers, 48 oil and chemical tankers, 35 crude oil tankers, and 31 bulk carriers.

These statistics do not include smaller inland vessels or dual-fuel LNG carriers.

52 LNG bunkering vessels and 213 LPG-powered ships

Besides LNG-powered vessels, there are 52 LNG bunkering vessels in operation and 15 on order, the platform shows.

In addition to 1006 confirmed LNG-powered ships, the fleet powered by alternative fuels also includes 234 methanol-fueled vessels, 213 LPG-powered ships, and 30 hydrogen-fueled vessels, according to the platform.

Most Popular

Shell wraps up acquisition of Pavilion Energy

UK-based LNG giant Shell has completed its previously announced acquisition of Singapore's Pavilion Energy.

India’s ONGC approves Mozambique LNG investment

India’s state-run ONGC has approved an investment by its unit, ONGC Videsh, into the TotalEnergies-led Mozambique LNG joint venture, which is developing a 12.8 mtpa liquefaction plant at the Afungi complex.

Australia’s Viva Energy seeks FSRU for Geelong project

Australia’s Viva Energy is looking to secure a floating storage and regasification Unit (FSRU) for its proposed LNG import terminal in Geelong, Australia.

More News Like This

DNV says seven LNG-powered vessels booked in March

Classification society DNV added seven LNG-powered ships, all container vessels, to its Alternative Fuels Insight platform in March. DNV also said that there were 12 orders for methanol-powered vessels and two for ammonia-powered vessels last month

DNV says 33 LNG-powered vessels ordered in February

Classification society DNV added 33 LNG-powered ships, all container vessels, to its Alternative Fuels Insight platform in February. DNV also said that eight orders were placed for LNG bunkering vessels in February, representing a 50 percent expansion of the LNG bunkering vessel orderbook.

SeaKapital orders LNG bunkering duo

Hong Kong-based SeaKapital has ordered two large LNG bunkering vessels at Ningbo Xinle Shipbuilding.

DNV says 12 LNG-powered vessels ordered in January

January was a slow month for LNG-powered vessel orders following a record of 264 LNG-powered ships ordered last year. DNV...