The global shipping industry is investing in alternative marine fuels as environmental regulations and long-term emissions targets influence vessel development.
According to the latest figures from DNV’s Alternative Fuels Insight data, reported by MarineLink, 364 alternative-fuel vessels were ordered during January–October 2026, representing a 57% increase compared with the same period in 2025.
October alone recorded 53 new orders, with LNG-capable vessels accounting for the largest share.
These developments demonstrate growing investment in alternative-fuel technology.
However, alternative-fuel capability does not automatically mean a vessel operates without greenhouse-gas emissions.
For importers and exporters, understanding the technologies, regulations and commercial implications is becoming increasingly important.
What Is Green Shipping?
Green shipping refers to efforts to reduce the environmental impact of maritime transportation.
These efforts can include cleaner fuels, improved vessel efficiency, reduced fuel consumption, alternative propulsion technologies and better operational planning.
International shipping connects manufacturers, ports, distribution centres and businesses around the world.
Reducing emissions across these activities requires changes to both vessel technology and the wider logistics network.
What Are Alternative Marine Fuels?
Alternative marine fuels are energy sources used instead of, or alongside, conventional marine fuels.
Examples include:
- Liquefied natural gas
- Methanol
- Ammonia
- Sustainable biofuels
- Hydrogen
These fuels have different environmental characteristics, infrastructure requirements and levels of commercial readiness.
Their emissions performance depends on how they are produced, transported and used.
How Fast Is Alternative-Fuel Shipping Growing in 2026?
DNV’s October 2026 vessel-order figures recorded 53 new alternative-fuel vessel orders during October 2026.
This brought the January–October total to 364 vessels.
The number of orders increased 57% compared with the same period in 2025.
LNG-capable vessels accounted for 230 orders during the first ten months of the year.
Container ships represented 134 of those LNG orders, while car carriers accounted for another 75.
What Do These Figures Mean?
The figures indicate that shipowners are continuing to invest in vessels capable of using fuels other than conventional marine fuel oil.
However, new orders do not represent vessels already operating.
A vessel may take years to move from ordering through construction and delivery.
Additionally, a dual-fuel vessel may still use conventional fuel depending on fuel availability, commercial conditions and operating requirements.
Why Are LNG-Capable Container Ships Leading?
Liquefied natural gas has become an important alternative fuel option for certain shipping companies.
One reason is the relative maturity of LNG infrastructure.
Compared with several emerging marine fuels, LNG has a more established global supply chain and bunkering network. This is also highlighted in DNV’s maritime decarbonisation insights.
This can make it more practical for shipowners operating large international fleets.
Is LNG a Zero-Emission Marine Fuel?
No.
LNG is a fossil fuel.
It can reduce certain air pollutants compared with conventional marine fuels, but its overall greenhouse-gas performance depends on several factors.
These include methane leakage during production and transportation, methane slip from engines and the efficiency of the vessel.
Because methane is a powerful greenhouse gas, these emissions can materially affect LNG’s climate performance.
For this reason, LNG-capable shipping should not automatically be described as carbon-neutral or zero-emission.
What Role Could Methanol Play in Green Shipping?
Methanol is another fuel being considered for maritime transportation.
It can be produced through different pathways.
Conventional methanol is commonly produced using fossil-based feedstocks.
Lower-emission alternatives may include methanol produced from sustainable biomass or renewable hydrogen combined with an appropriate carbon source.
Is Methanol Environmentally Friendly?
Its environmental performance depends on the production pathway.
A methanol-powered vessel is not necessarily operating on low-carbon methanol.
The fuel’s lifecycle emissions must be considered.
Why Are Shipping Companies Interested in Methanol?
Methanol can be handled as a liquid under normal ambient conditions, which provides certain storage and handling advantages compared with some other alternative fuels.
However, fuel availability, cost and sustainable production capacity remain important challenges.
Could Ammonia Become a Marine Fuel?
Ammonia is attracting interest because it does not contain carbon.
When used as a fuel, it can avoid direct carbon dioxide emissions from the fuel itself.
However, this does not automatically make ammonia-powered shipping environmentally sustainable.
What Are the Challenges?
Ammonia presents several technical and operational challenges.
These include:
- Toxicity and crew safety
- Fuel storage and handling
- Engine technology
- Port bunkering infrastructure
- Fuel production emissions
- Potential nitrogen oxide and nitrous oxide emissions
Ammonia produced using fossil-based energy can have significant lifecycle greenhouse-gas emissions.
Lower-emission ammonia production pathways may offer different environmental outcomes.
What Happened in October 2026?
DNV recorded four new ammonia-capable car carrier orders during October.
This represents continued interest in the technology, although commercial adoption remains at an early stage compared with LNG.
For further industry context, see DNV’s latest alternative-fuel vessel order figures.
What Is FuelEU Maritime?
FuelEU Maritime is a European Union regulation designed to reduce the greenhouse-gas intensity of energy used by ships.
The regulation has applied since 1 January 2025.
According to the European Maritime Safety Agency’s FuelEU Maritime guidance, it covers qualifying vessels operating within its geographic and regulatory scope.
The requirements become progressively stricter over time.
What Are the Emissions Targets?
FuelEU Maritime establishes a reduction in the permitted greenhouse-gas intensity of energy used on board ships.
The reduction begins at 2% in 2025 and becomes progressively more demanding, reaching 80% by 2050.
The regulation evaluates energy use on a lifecycle basis.
This means emissions associated with producing and supplying the fuel are relevant, not just emissions released during vessel operation.
Does FuelEU Maritime Apply to UK Shipping?
FuelEU Maritime is an EU/EEA regulatory framework.
Its application depends on the vessel and voyage.
For example, qualifying voyages involving an EEA port and a non-EEA port can fall partly within its scope.
Businesses should not assume that all UK freight movements are subject to identical FuelEU requirements. The EMSA regulatory guidance provides further information about the regulation’s scope.
What Is the IMO Net-Zero Framework?
The International Maritime Organization has been developing a global regulatory framework intended to support reductions in greenhouse-gas emissions from international shipping.
The proposed framework includes measures relating to marine fuel emissions and greenhouse-gas pricing.
However, the adoption process has experienced delays.
Has the Global Framework Taken Effect?
The International Maritime Organization’s announcement on Net-Zero Framework discussions explains the regulatory discussions and their timetable.
Regulatory negotiations continued during 2026.
Businesses should therefore distinguish between existing regional rules and proposed international measures.
The final requirements and implementation timetable should be checked against the latest official IMO decisions.
For additional industry context, Reuters reported on lower-carbon marine fuel demand and regulatory uncertainty in October 2026.
How Could Green Shipping Affect Freight Costs?
Alternative fuels and environmental regulations may influence shipping costs over time.
However, the effect will vary between trade lanes, carriers and vessel types.
Fuel Prices
Different marine fuels have different production and supply costs.
Vessel Investment
New propulsion systems and vessel designs can require significant capital investment.
Port Infrastructure
Alternative-fuel vessels may require specialised bunkering and handling facilities.
Environmental Compliance
Applicable regulations can create monitoring, reporting and compliance costs.
Carrier Pricing
Shipping companies may incorporate certain costs into freight rates or separately identified surcharges.
Importers should therefore review actual quotations rather than assuming that alternative-fuel shipping will always be cheaper or more expensive.
What Does Green Shipping Mean for UK Importers?
UK importers source goods from manufacturing centres across Asia, Europe and other international markets.
The movement of these goods often involves several transport stages.
These can include:
- Factory collection
- Inland transportation
- Ocean freight
- Port handling
- Customs clearance
- UK distribution
- Final delivery
The environmental impact of a shipment depends on the complete transport arrangement.
Does a Lower-Emission Vessel Guarantee a Lower-Emission Shipment?
Not necessarily.
A vessel’s fuel capability is only one factor.
The actual fuel used, vessel efficiency, cargo allocation, routing and inland transportation can all influence the shipment’s environmental footprint.
Businesses seeking lower-emission freight should request information about the specific service and calculation methodology.
How Can Importers Make More Informed Freight Decisions?
1. Review the Complete Transport Route
Consider origin collection, international transportation and final delivery together.
2. Compare Available Shipping Services
Different carriers and routings may have different operating characteristics.
3. Ask About Alternative-Fuel Options
Where relevant, ask whether lower-emission services are available on the required trade lane.
4. Request Emissions Information
Ask how emissions are calculated and whether the figures are independently verified.
5. Compare Total Freight Costs
Include applicable fuel-related charges, terminal costs and inland transportation.
6. Avoid Unsupported Claims
Do not describe a shipment as carbon-neutral without appropriate evidence.
7. Monitor Industry Developments
Alternative-fuel technology, port infrastructure and environmental regulations continue to evolve.
How Can Freight Forwarders Support More Informed Shipping?
Freight forwarders help businesses coordinate international cargo movements.
This includes evaluating available routes, transport modes, schedules and delivery requirements.
As the shipping industry evolves, freight planning may also involve comparing emissions information and understanding relevant carrier services.
However, the availability of a particular alternative-fuel service must be confirmed for the actual shipment.
How NKR Freight Supports International Logistics
NKR Freight provides international freight forwarding services for businesses moving commercial cargo across global markets.
Its services include sea freight, air freight, road transportation, customs clearance and multimodal logistics. Businesses can explore the complete range of NKR Freight services to understand the available transport and logistics solutions.
For importers and exporters, NKR Freight can coordinate:
- Origin collection
- International sea freight
- Full Container Load shipping
- Less than Container Load shipping
- Air freight alternatives
- Shipping documentation
- Customs clearance
- Inland transportation
- Final delivery
As alternative-fuel shipping develops, businesses can review available transport services according to their cargo requirements, costs and delivery schedules.
NKR Freight can support freight planning and coordination, while any specific alternative-fuel or emissions-reduction service would need to be confirmed with the relevant carrier.
Is Green Shipping the Future of Global Freight?
Alternative-fuel vessel investment is increasing, and environmental regulations are influencing maritime transportation.
However, the transition remains complex.
Different fuels have different environmental characteristics, infrastructure requirements and commercial limitations.
The increase in vessel orders during 2026 demonstrates growing investment, but it does not mean the global shipping fleet has already transitioned to low-emission operations.
For importers and exporters, the practical approach is to stay informed, compare available freight services and evaluate environmental claims using reliable evidence.
Planning Your Next International Shipment?
The global shipping industry is changing, but the fundamentals of effective logistics remain important.
Businesses still need reliable transport planning, appropriate freight services, accurate documentation and coordinated delivery.
Speak to NKR Freight to review the most practical international freight options for your next shipment.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is green shipping?
Green shipping refers to efforts to reduce the environmental impact of maritime transportation through improved efficiency, alternative fuels, cleaner energy technologies and better operational practices.
How many alternative-fuel vessels were ordered in 2026?
According to DNV, 364 alternative-fuel vessels were ordered during January–October 2026. This represented a 57% increase compared with the same period in 2025. MarineLink’s report on DNV’s vessel-order figures provides further details.
Which alternative marine fuel is most widely represented in new vessel orders?
LNG leads the 2026 alternative-fuel vessel order figures, with 230 LNG-capable vessels ordered during the first ten months of the year. DNV’s figures, reported by Safety4Sea, provide additional industry context.
Is LNG shipping carbon-neutral?
No. LNG is a fossil fuel. Its overall greenhouse-gas performance depends on factors including methane leakage, engine emissions and fuel production.
Is methanol a sustainable marine fuel?
Methanol’s environmental performance depends on how it is produced. Renewable or sustainably produced methanol can have different lifecycle emissions from conventional fossil-based methanol.
Can ammonia-powered ships operate without carbon emissions?
Ammonia contains no carbon, but its overall environmental impact depends on fuel production and other emissions associated with its use. Ammonia also presents important safety and infrastructure challenges.
What is FuelEU Maritime?
FuelEU Maritime is an EU regulation that establishes progressively stricter greenhouse-gas intensity requirements for energy used by qualifying vessels. It has applied since January 2025. The European Maritime Safety Agency’s official guidance explains its requirements.
Will green shipping increase freight costs?
It may affect certain costs, but the impact depends on fuel prices, vessel technology, regulations, carrier pricing and the specific shipping route.
Can importers request lower-emission freight services?
Yes. Businesses can ask freight providers about available services and request information on emissions performance. However, availability and verified environmental benefits must be confirmed for the specific shipment.
Does NKR Freight provide green shipping services?
NKR Freight provides international freight forwarding and logistics coordination. Businesses can discuss their shipping requirements with NKR, but the availability of a specific alternative-fuel or verified lower-emission service must be confirmed before making environmental claims.