According to the latest data from DNV's Alternative Fuel Insights (AFI) platform, 38 new orders for alternative-fueled vessels were recorded globally in April 2026.

The majority of these orders (20) were for LNG-fueled vessels. These comprised eight pure car and truck carriers, six container ships, four crude oil tankers, and two cruise ships. A further 14 orders were logged for LPG/ethane carriers. The remaining four orders were for ammonia-fueled bulk carriers.

Despite this uptick, the total represents a decrease of 11 vessels compared with the 49 contracts recorded in April last year. For the first four months of 2026, total orders for alternative-fueled vessels stand at 83.

Jason Stefanatos, Global Decarbonization Director at DNV Maritime, commented: "Following a slow start to the year, it is encouraging to see a pickup in orders for alternative-fueled vessels in April. While the overall trend favoring LNG remains evident in the figures, it is also noteworthy that this month's orders are distributed across a wider variety of vessel segments, with the tanker and cruise sectors showing particularly strong engagement."

He added: "The emergence of four ammonia-fueled vessel orders in the bulker segment is equally notable. While ammonia as a marine fuel is still nascent, such projects—and the operational experience gained from them—are critical to moving the shipping industry from concept to practical capability and taking tangible steps toward wider adoption."