In February 2025, the maritime transport market saw a surge in demand for liquefied natural gas (LNG)-powered vessels, with eight new tanker orders increasing the global LNG-fueled fleet by 50%. The data, published by Alternative Fuels Insight (AFI) from DNV, reinforces the industry’s shift towards sustainable fueling solutions, moving away from traditional Marine Gas Oil (MGO), which is characterized by high CO2 emissions. Additionally, MGO is subject to carbon taxation per ton emitted, making it increasingly less viable from an economic perspective.
However, the search for alternative fuels is taking different directions. Unlike the aviation industry, which has established a global standard, maritime transport remains fragmented, with companies betting on different solutions—ranging from LNG and ammonia to methanol and synthetic fuels. This raises a key question: how can the industry ensure the refueling capacity for these vessels across different continents and ports?
“Beyond the alternatives already in the market, we see players exploring even more options. This is exciting, but could it become a structural issue? Imagine a vessel traveling between countries using a specific fuel—will all ports and bunkering companies be prepared to supply it? It might impose some route restrictions”, reflects Anidio Correa, R&D Environment Projects Lead at WSB Advisors.
The future of maritime transport will be shaped not just by the fuel alternatives available but also by their global feasibility, including workforce training. The sector is moving toward an energy transition, but the lack of standardization could pose as significant a challenge as decarbonization itself.
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Fuel: looking for a solution?
