New alternative-fuelled ship orders totalled 14 in September, after none in August, Norwegian classification agency DNV said.
Of September's orders, 12 were for LNG-fuelled vessels — six containerships, four bulk carriers, and two in the cruise segment. The other two were for LPG carriers.
All the orders are dual-fuel.
So far in 2025, 192 new orders for alternative-fuelled vessels were placed, down by 48pc compared with the same period in 2024. Of the 2025 orders, 121 are LNG-fuelled vessels. These are followed by methanol-fuelled ships (43), LPG carriers (19), ammonia-fuelled vessels (5), and hydrogen-fuelled ships (4), DNV said.
The container segment is still dominant, accounting for 63pc of the 192 new orders.
DNV forecasts the fleet of alternative-fuelled vessels could almost double by 2028 from 2024. Big shipowners, like Shell and Danish shipping company AP Moller-Maersk, have been investing in alternative-fuelled vessels to comply with international greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions regulations, like FuelEU and the International Maritime Organization (IMO) net-zero framework.
But operators may be waiting for certain decisions, like the IMO's GHG levy proposal vote in October.
"Uncertainties around the IMO's Net-Zero Framework, including lifecycle assessment factors for certain fuels, are prompting many owners to adopt a 'wait and see' approach to new orders," said DNV Maritime global decarbonisation director Jason Stefanatos. "It is, therefore, essential that the industry receives greater regulatory clarity in the coming months."
