2021 was a record year for LNG fueled ships, as 240 ships were ordered across the year, according to Martin Christian Wold, Principal Consultant at DNV.
As Mr. Wold explained, while only 2 LNG fueled ships were ordered in December, 2021 saw a net increase of 240 ships.
This is more than the previous 4 years combined, and in spite of LNG bunker fuel reaching completely unforeseen high price levels all through H2
Furthermore, another highlight of the year was the ‘catch-up’ in LNG bunker vessel contracting and charter-agreements in December which will secure ‘much needed supply options for the rapidly growing LNG fuelled fleet.’
What is more, Mr. Wold noted that the ships contracted in 2021 added more than 3 MTPA to global LNG bunkering demand.
Overall, according to DNV statistics, currently there are 251 LNG-fueled vessels in operation, and 403 more on order.
As for the specific sectors, there are 28 LNG-fueled container ships in operation and 98 on order, while 25 crude oil tankers are in service with an order book of 55 vessels.
Regarding car carriers, there are 56 on order, while 49 bulk carriers and 26 cruise ships are also on order.
During December, RightShip issued a position paper focusing on LNG as a maritime fuel. The report says that “LNG can be used now and should have a wider role as a transitional fuel, until other fuels are ready for large scale use.”
However, it adds that while LNG is seen to have some beneficial features it also has many negative issues and attracts controversy.
Furthermore, earlier last year, Peter Keller, Chairman of SEA-LNG, said that LNG’s growing popularity shows that it offers the certainty needed for investment as shipowners look to 2050.