Nearly as many alternative-fuel ships are on order as in service, according to data carried in the latest Maritime Forecast to 2050 report from DNV.
By 2030, the global fleet will have the capacity to consume over 50m tonnes of oil equivalent of low-greenhouse gas emitting fuels, the report forecasts. This figure is double the estimated volume needed to meet the International Maritime Organization’s (IMO) 2030 emissions target. Yet today, actual consumption of low-GHG fuels remains at just 1m tonnes.
“This widening gap between capacity and use highlights both the scale of industry commitment and the urgent need for fuel producers and infrastructure developers to accelerate supply to match the fleet’s readiness,” the report states.
With the number of alternative-fuelled vessels in operation set to almost double by 2028, shipping is approaching what DNV claims is a “fuel transition tipping point” – sending a strong demand signal to fuel producers and related industries to speed up their progress.
“The industry has made real technical progress in recent years,” said Eirik Ovrum, lead author of the 73-page report. “But these solutions are still operating in silos. To deliver impact, they need to be integrated into fleet strategies, supported by infrastructure, and recognised in compliance frameworks. That’s where the next phase of work must focus.”
