As the shipping industry faces growing environmental pressures and stricter regulations, companies are seeking practical solutions to balance sustainability with commercial viability.
According to Columbia Group, dual-fuel ships primarily powered by liquefied natural gas (LNG) will dominate the next decade. With around half of global new-build orders in 2025 being dual-fuel and 70% of those LNG-powered, this shift highlights the sector’s pragmatic response to uncertainty over future zero-carbon fuels.
The Rise of Dual-Fuel Technology
LNG is increasingly viewed as a bridging technology, enabling compliance with current emissions standards while offering flexibility for the future. Dual-fuel designs allow operators to switch between LNG and conventional fuels such as VLSFO, reducing both regulatory risks and market volatility. However, this transition is not without its challenges. Higher capital costs, complex systems, and more demanding fuel management mean owners must carefully plan operations to ensure efficiency and compliance.
Overcoming Operational and Training Challenges
To address these complexities, Columbia Group has prioritized seafarer training. Beyond textbooks, simulator-based programmes prepare crews for fuel switching, cryogenic handling, and emergency scenarios.
Alongside human expertise, digital platforms like EngineLink + POCR help optimize fuel usage, monitor engine health, and track emissions data. This combination of skilled crews and advanced digital tools ensures safe, sustainable, and commercially viable operations.
While dual-fuel ships are not the final answer to shipping’s decarbonization journey, they represent a crucial bridge to the future. With the right balance of technology, crew training, and operational oversight, LNG-powered vessels provide owners with a pathway to safer, greener, and more efficient shipping as the industry awaits scalable zero-carbon solutions.
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Source: COLUMBIA GROUP
