Container shipping remained the main driver of alternative-fuel vessel orders in 2025, even as global newbuilding activity fell sharply, according to new data from DNV.

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Alternative-fuelled ships accounted for 38% of gross tonnage in the global orderbook, despite total newbuild orders dropping to 2,403 vessels from 4,405 in 2024. The resilience came largely from container shipping, where orders rose year over year to 547 vessels.

Container ships represented 68% of all alternative-fuel newbuilds in 2025 and nearly half of total gross tonnage on order. LNG dominated fuel choices within the segment, accounting for 58% of tonnage, followed by conventional fuels at 36% and methanol at 6%.

“The strength of the alternative-fuel orderbook is being driven by cargo owners maintaining emissions targets despite market and regulatory uncertainty,” said Jason Stefanatos, DNV’s global decarbonization director.

Outside the container segment, ordering activity weakened significantly. Orders for LPG and ethane carriers fell 73%, while car carrier contracting dropped 90%. Bulk and tanker segments also saw sharp declines as owners focused on cost control.

Across all vessel types, LNG-fuelled ships led with 188 orders, while methanol-fuelled newbuilds fell sharply year over year. Infrastructure investment continued, with 22 LNG bunker vessels added to the orderbook, supporting continued adoption.

The data underscores a market split between resilient container-led decarbonization investment and broader hesitation amid regulatory and market uncertainty.