Global shipping decarbonization is accelerating, with orders for alternative-fuel vessels remaining high in the first month of this year. Chinese shipyards have maintained a leading edge in this wave of green orders, becoming a key pillar in the global shipping energy transition. According to the latest statistics from Clarksons, of the 158 new vessels totaling 10.7 million gross tons (GT) ordered globally in January, as many as 46 vessels, accounting for 4.5 million GT, are alternative-fuel vessels. This represents 42% of the total, up from 37% for the full year of 2024. In terms of order value, global new shipbuilding investment in January totaled $17.8 billion, with the value of alternative-fuel vessel orders reaching $8.6 billion (approximately RMB 59.4 billion). This marks an 18% increase year-on-year and accounts for 48.1% of the total investment. January’s alternative-fuel vessel orders include 33 LNG-powered vessels totaling 4.0 million GT, one methanol-powered vessel of 0.1 million GT, five LPG-powered vessels totaling 0.3 million GT, two ethane-powered vessels totaling 0.1 million GT, and five battery/hybrid-powered vessels totaling 0.1 million GT. In recent years, the share of alternative-fuel vessels in new ship orders has climbed steadily, from just 8.2% in 2016 to 32% in 2021. It reached an all-time high of 54.9% in 2022, slipped to 41% in 2023, rebounded to 44% in 2024, and experienced a slight decline to 43.6% in 2025. By shipbuilding country, Clarksons' data shows that the vast majority of alternative-fuel new ship orders in January 2026 were secured by Chinese shipyards, totaling 36 vessels and 2.207 million compensated gross tons (CGT). By CGT, this accounts for 70.19% of all alternative-fuel vessel orders in January 2026, ranking first globally. These orders include 26 LNG dual-fuel vessels (1.932 million CGT), four LPG dual-fuel vessels (0.123 million CGT), three ethane dual-fuel vessels (92,000 CGT), and three battery/hybrid vessels (59,000 CGT). Meanwhile, South Korean shipyards secured orders for 14 alternative-fuel vessels totaling 909,000 CGT in January, capturing a market share of 28.92%. These included 11 LNG dual-fuel vessels (829,000 CGT), two ethane dual-fuel vessels (50,000 CGT), and one LPG dual-fuel vessel (30,000 CGT). Japanese shipyards secured one hydrogen-fueled vessel order totaling 19,000 CGT in January, representing a market share of 0.61%. According to Clarksons' data, in tonnage terms, the proportion of vessels in the current operational fleet capable of using alternative fuels or propulsion systems has increased to 9.5%, up from 2.9% at the start of 2018 and 7.8% at the beginning of 2025. Among the existing 2,815 alternative-fuel vessels, there are 1,577 LNG-powered vessels, 119 methanol-powered vessels, 156 LPG-powered vessels, and 821 battery/hybrid-powered vessels, in addition to 311 vessels using other fuel types.

In the current order book, the share of alternative-fuel vessels has reached 47.1%, up from 14.1% at the start of 2018 and 49.8% at the beginning of 2025. In tonnage terms, LNG-powered vessels account for 34.8% of the order book (1,034 vessels), methanol-powered vessels for 8.0% (312 vessels), and LPG-powered vessels for 1.7% (136 vessels). Additionally, approximately 2.6% (around 566 vessels) are set to use other alternative fuels, including 48 hydrogen-fueled, 54 ethane-fueled, 45 ammonia-fueled, 19 biofueled, and 542 battery/hybrid-powered vessels. In total, the order book for alternative-fuel vessels stands at 2,048 vessels.

As future fuel options continue to expand, the number of vessels being built with alternative fuel readiness is also on the rise. Currently, the operational fleet includes 649 LNG-ready vessels, with an additional 234 on order. Meanwhile, the order book features 317 ammonia-ready vessels, 819 methanol-ready vessels, and 16 hydrogen-ready vessels. Separately, the latest statistics from DNV’s Alternative Fuels Insight (AFI) platform indicate that there were 20 new orders for alternative-fuel vessels in January. LNG dual-fuel container ships continue to dominate the market, with 16 orders, alongside one methanol-powered offshore vessel and three LPG carriers. Jason Stefanatos, Global Decarbonization Director at DNV Maritime, commented: "The year has started relatively positively for alternative fuels. LNG holds the largest share, with the container segment continuing to drive this momentum. This is largely due to cargo owners and shipowners actively advancing their own decarbonization strategies, despite ongoing market and regulatory uncertainties."