Number of ships using LNG up 33% in 2024
There are 638 LNG-fuelled ships in operation today, rising to 1,200 by the end of 2028. Containerships dominate the orderbook
Lobby group Sea-LNG has welcomed continued growth in uptake of liquefied natural gas by the merchant fleet as more ports offer the fuel
SEA-LNG has welcomed a 33% growth in ships using liquefied natural gas as a fuel in 2024, with 638 ships in operation worldwide.
The gas lobby group said 1,200 ships are expected to be running on LNG by the end of 2028. The fuel makes up 70% of alternative fuel orders, up from 43% in 2023.
LNG bunkers can be found at about 198 ports, with plans for another 78, according to Clarksons. The number of LNG bunkering ships rose to 60 in 2024, up 22% from 2023.
By December 2024, Sea-LNG counted 163 tankers and 96 on order fuelled by LNG. Containerships lead the LNG fuel orderbook at 310, on top of the 142 operational ships.
There were 57 bulkers (with 16 ordered) and 56 car carriers, with 152 ordered.
Sea-LNG chairman Peter Keller said the LNG fuel path remained “a practical and realistic route to sipping’s decarbonisation now”.
“We continue to believe the shipping industry is heading towards a successful multi-fuel future where LNG will always play a critical role,” he said.
Keller said the industry was working to fix methane slip, the climate-warming unburned methane emitted from LNG engines.
