Methanol vessel orderbook gains momentum, ammonia sees a ‘breakthrough’ – DNV

Classification society’s DNV latest tally shows that there are now 230 confirmed methanol-fuelled vessels in operation and on order, and three confirmed orders for ammonia-fuelled vessels.

PHOTO: Concept image of Exmar's upcoming ammonia dual-fuel gas carriers. Exmar

14 methanol-fuelled vessels were added to DNV's Alternative Fuels Insight (AFI) database in October, DNV's principal consultant Martin Christian Wold said in a social media post. This takes the total number of methanol-fuelled vessels in operation and on order for delivery by 2028 to 230, up from 216 in September.

September saw 12 orders for methanol-fuelled vessels, which included retrofits.

The largest share of newbuild orders for methanol-fuelled vessels are container ships (156), followed by tankers (39) and bulk carriers (9), according to the DNV's latest update.

DNV's AFI database has also seen a "breakthrough for ammonia", with three confirmed orders scheduled for delivery in 2026, Wold noted. This includes two newbuilds and one retrofit project, the database shows. According to AFI, two of the vessels on order are gas tankers and one is a tugboat.

Belgian tanker operator Exmar confirmed last month that South Korea's Hyundai Mipo Dockyard is on track to deliver its two ammonia-fuelled gas tankers by 2026. The vessels will be equipped with WinGD's two-stroke ammonia dual-fuel engine, while Wärtsilä's arm Wärtsilä Gas Solutions will supply the fuel system, Exmar said.

Meanwhile, six LNG-fuelled vessels were ordered in October, Wold said.

By Konica Bhatt

Please get in touch with comments or additional info to news@engine.online