The global container shipping industry is undergoing a dramatic shift as LNG-fueled container ships now make up over 56% of the total orderbook capacity, reflecting mounting pressure to comply with stricter environmental regulations. With nearly 800 vessels in the current orderbook representing over 9 million TEU (Mteu) of capacity, the industry is clearly transitioning from traditional scrubber systems to cleaner fuel alternatives like LNG and methanol.
LNG Takes the Lead in Future-Focused Fleet Expansion
More than 5.1 Mteu of capacity in the global container ship orderbook is now attributed to LNG-fueled vessels, confirming LNG’s dominant position in upcoming fleet expansions. In terms of vessel numbers, 43.4% of all ships on order (346 vessels) are LNG-powered. Though the percentage is slightly lower than capacity share, it signals a strong industry push toward emission-compliant propulsion systems as cleaner alternatives gain momentum.
Scrubber-Fitted Ships Still Hold Ground in Current Fleet
Despite the rise of LNG and methanol fuels, scrubber technology remains the most widely used emissions-reduction system in the current global fleet. Around 22% of container ships (by vessel count) and 41.5% by capacity are still sailing with scrubbers. However, as Emission Control Areas (ECAs) expand and global emissions mandates tighten, reliance on scrubbers is expected to gradually diminish
Larger Vessels Drive Demand for Alternative Fuels
Larger ships are at the forefront of the green fuel revolution. Over 76.9% of all LNG-fueled ships and 63.1% of methanol-powered orders are for vessels above 10,000 TEU. This trend reflects not only the economies of scale involved but also the need for sustainable solutions for high-volume, long-distance trade routes. Advanced platforms like Alphaliner’s AXSInsights are aiding shipowners and operators in tracking these changes and making data-driven decisions.
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Source: LinkedIn
