Fleet of Alternative Fuel Ships Exceeds 2,000 Units

In 2024, shipowners ordered a record number of alternative fuel-powered vessels—515 units, representing a 38% increase compared to the previous year. As a result, the global fleet of ships capable of operating on "green" fuels has surpassed 2,000 units, according to DNV Maritime CEO Knut Ørbeck-Nilssen, citing data from DNV Alternative Fuels Insights (AFI).

The statistics were described as "promising," but Ørbeck-Nilssen urged the shipping industry to "keep pushing forward if it wants to meet the IMO's greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction targets and fulfill its commitments to decarbonizing maritime shipping."

Despite the massive investment in alternative fuel vessels over the past decade, only 3.3% of the global fleet (in gross tonnage terms) can operate on LNG, LPG, methanol, hydrogen, or ammonia. If assessed by the number of vessels, the situation looks even worse—only 1.0% of ships are equipped to run on "clean" fuel. Moreover, the availability of green fuels remains uncertain.