Classification society DNV said that owners placed orders for 16 LNG-powered ships in February, mostly for container vessels and car carriers.
Compared to the prior month, orders dropped by 24 vessels but January included around 15 vessels from December.
September still holds the record with 35 orders for LNG-powered vessels.
Martin Wold, principal consultant at DNV, said, “order intake for LNG-fueled newbuilds continues at high pace, despite increasingly uncertain outlook for gas prices.”
“Total confirmed fleet has now reached 710 ships,” he said.
In addition, Seaspan Marine Corporation also contributed to “much needed” extra LNG bunkering supply capacity with their order for two bunkering vessels in China, he said.
The February count includes orders by Zodiac Maritime, Eastern Pacific Shipping, H Line, CLdN, MOL, and Tiger Group.
According to DNV’s Alternative Fuels Insight platform, 269 LNG-powered ships are already in operation.
LNG-powered car and passenger ferries continue to lead the way with 44 in operation. The operational fleet also includes 33 oil/chemical tankers, 32 offshore supply ships, and 32 containerships.
As per vessels on order, LNG-powered containerships account for a big part of the orders with 123 units. Owners also ordered 60 LNG-powered crude oil carriers, 60 car carriers, and 52 bulk carriers.
These statistics do not include smaller inland vessels.