LNG Dual-Fuel Vessel Orders Rise Amid New Methane Emission Rules
What happened
The LNG-fuelled fleet, both in service and on order, now exceeds 1,550 ships, showing strong ordering trends. In the first half of 2026, 73 LNG dual-fuel vessels were ordered, accounting for about 90% of all alternative-fuel orders. However, new regulations have made methane slip—unburned methane passing through the funnel—a financial issue. Since January 1, 2026, the EU Emissions Trading System has covered methane and nitrous oxide from ships, and FuelEU Maritime now includes methane slip in its greenhouse gas intensity calculation.
From gcaptain.com
Why it matters
While LNG has been widely adopted as a bridge fuel, the inclusion of methane slip in regulatory calculations means that operators must now account for this potent greenhouse gas in their emissions reporting. This regulatory shift increases the complexity and potential operational costs for the shipping industry.
Maersk and DNV are involved in advanced fuel testing, while DNV monitors industry trends regarding fuel usage.
From gcaptain.com
Who's involved
Who could feel it
Possible knock-on effectsThese are possibilities Brind reasoned out, not predictions, and not advice. Most are not stated in any report.
- MaerskSpeculative
Maersk could face higher operational fuel costs due to regulatory action from the EU Emissions Trading System combined with increased methane slip.
- HD Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore EngineeringSpeculative
HD Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering may face increased design complexity and costs for LNG vessels due to new emission standards and methane slip data.
- TÜV RheinlandSpeculative
TÜV Rheinland may see increased market demand for independent validation services due to new technical data.
Keep exploring
The entities involved
-
DNV
international certification body and classification society
Nothing else this week.