Alternative-Fuel Ship Orders Surge in August as LNG Drives Strongest Month Since 2024

Alternative-fueled ship ordering accelerated sharply over the summer, with August recording the strongest monthly total in nearly two years as LNG-fueled containerships and car carriers led a fresh wave of newbuild orders.

A total of 52 alternative-fuelled vessels were added to DNV’s Alternative Fuels Insight (AFI) platform in August, the highest monthly figure since October 2024. The strong month followed 47 additions in July, signaling a rebound after a relatively slow start to 2026.

LNG accounted for 46 of the vessels ordered in August, including 30 containerships and 12 car carriers. The month also included four ethanol-fuelled bulk carriers and two