If you've been watching the shipping industry's slow pivot toward greener fuels, you might have noticed something surprising this year. After years of debate about which alternative fuel would eventually win out – methanol, ammonia, hydrogen, or something else – one contender has quietly pulled ahead. And it's not even close.
The numbers tell a clear story
According to data from DNV's Alternative Fuels Insights platform, LNG-fuelled vessels now account for approximately 90% of all alternative-fuel ships on order globally. That's up from 66% year-to-date. Across the wider market, LNG dual-fuel now represents about 80% of the alternative-fuel orderbook by deadweight tonnage – ahead of ammonia, hydrogen, and methanol combined.
DNV calculates that there are now more than twice as many LNG orders (663) as methanol orders (313). And the gap is widening. In August 2026 alone, 21 LNG-fuelled vessels were added to the orderbook – the second strongest month for LNG orders in over a year. Currently, there are 978 confirmed LNG-fuelled ships on order or in operation.
What's driving the shift?
The answer is surprisingly practical: LNG works today.
Greek shipowners, who control 172 LNG carriers – 23% of the global fleet by deadweight – aren't betting on a single technology. They're choosing LNG because dual-fuel vessels keep their options open. As one industry observer put it, LNG is "the first step on the methane decarbonisation pathway". Liquefied biomethane is already being bunkered routinely today. Liquefied e-methane is in development. The vessel and engine stay the same; the fuel shifts from fossil LNG toward biomethane and e-methane over the ship's life.
That's a far cry from the all-or-nothing bet required by ammonia or hydrogen. With LNG, shipowners get immediate emissions reductions – compared to conventional heavy fuel oils, LNG delivers substantial immediate cuts – while keeping the door open for even greener fuels down the road.
The infrastructure is already there
The numbers back up the momentum. Singapore recorded a 48% increase in LNG bunkering in Q1 2026 compared with the same period in 2025, reaching 150,000 tonnes. Rotterdam and Antwerp-Bruges together reported a 44% increase over the same period, with Antwerp-Bruges alone recording a staggering 214% surge.
Liquefied biomethane uptake is also climbing fast. The Port of Rotterdam recorded a more than six-fold increase in LBM blend bunkering in 2025 compared with 2024, with 15,260 cbm bunkered in Q1 2026 alone – almost matching the total volume for all of 2025.
Even major carriers are piling in. ONE recently announced plans to order 22 LNG-dual-fuel container ships worth $4.2 billion. MSC has placed additional orders. Maersk has contracted for eight 18,600 TEU LNG dual-fuel ships. COSCO has ordered 12. PIL has signed for four more.
The environmental debate – and why it's not stopping anyone
Yes, there's debate. Critics point to methane slip and upstream emissions. But SEA-LNG, the industry coalition marking its tenth anniversary this year, points out that the methane pathway has foundations "that do not bend with the headlines". Over the past decade, the number of LNG dual-fuel ships in operation or on order has grown from 81 to over 1,550. LNG bunkering ports have expanded from 10 to 222.
As SEA-LNG COO Steve Esau put it: "Bunkering volumes are up. The orderbook is growing. Emissions are coming down. The value chain is stepping forward, not back".
What this means for your cargo
Here's where it gets personal for shippers.
When carriers invest billions in LNG dual-fuel vessels, it doesn't just affect their carbon footprint – it affects their operations. These ships are more efficient, they can bunker at more ports, and they're being deployed on the busiest trade lanes. That means more reliable schedules, more capacity options, and ultimately, more predictability for your supply chain.
But it also means complexity. New fuel types, new bunkering procedures, new operational dynamics – all of which can affect how your cargo moves if you're not paying attention.
This is where experience matters
At Xiamen AE Global, we've been watching this shift closely since 2018. We're a government-licensed company with IATA, FIATA, FMC, and NVOCC credentials – which means when the industry changes, we have the global network and the relationships to keep your cargo moving.
With over 100 overseas agents worldwide, we don't just read about new vessel deployments or port infrastructure upgrades in the news. We're already talking to our partners on the ground about what they mean for vessel schedules, terminal capacity, and routing options. When a major carrier like ONE adds 22 LNG dual-fuel ships to its fleet, we understand how that cascades through the network – and we adjust our clients' strategies accordingly.
1. Real visibility, real options
We've invested heavily in technology that gives our clients actual transparency – not just a tracking number, but real insight into what's happening with capacity, schedules, and alternatives. When a carrier changes its fuel strategy or a port expands its LNG bunkering capabilities, we don't wait for you to find out the hard way. We alert you immediately and present options.
2. Local knowledge where it counts
Based in Xiamen – one of Asia's busiest port cities, and a key hub for the transpacific trade lanes where many of these new LNG vessels will be deployed – we combine the global reach of an IATA and FIATA-approved forwarder with the local knowledge of a partner who's been shipping all kinds of goods for over a decade. We've moved over 12,000 TEUs in a single year with a 98.6% on-time delivery rate for our SME clients. That's not luck – it's relentless execution and a network that doesn't fall apart when the industry shifts.
The bottom line
The shipping industry is in the middle of its biggest fuel transition in decades. And LNG has emerged as the clear frontrunner – not because it's perfect, but because it's practical, available, and scalable right now.
For shippers, that means opportunity. More efficient vessels, more bunkering options, more predictable operations. But it also means complexity. And in a market this dynamic, the difference between a smooth supply chain and a costly headache often comes down to one thing: who you've got on your side.
At Xiamen AE Global, we don't just move boxes. We help our clients navigate change – whether that's understanding a carrier's new fleet strategy, adapting to shifting port capabilities, or simply making sure your cargo gets where it needs to go, on time and on budget.
Because when the industry is racing toward a greener future, you don't need a spectator. You need a partner who's already on board.
Ready to work with a logistics partner who actually understands where the industry is heading? Contact Xiamen AE Global today – and let's keep your supply chain moving, no matter what fuel powers the ships.
