Following a pattern for the year as whole LNG dual fuel dominated new contracts in October accounting for 30 out of 53 alternative fuelled newbuilds ordered. Of the remaining 23 vessels 19 were LPG powered, and four were ammonia fuelled.     “October’s figures add to the strong activity we have seen in alternative-fuelled vessel ordering since the summer. Particularly notable is the continued concentration of LNG-fuelled orders in container ships and car carriers. Together, these segments account for almost nine in ten LNG-fuelled orders placed this year, underlining the important role of shipping segments with close links to consumer supply chains in driving uptake,” said Jason Stefanatos, Global Decarbonization Director at DNV Maritime.     Of the orders year to date LNG fuelled accounted for 230 out of the 364 contracts in total, followed by 103 LPG powered vessels.     “LNG’s continued prominence is also supported by the comparatively mature infrastructure and supply chain around the fuel. A growing bunker vessel fleet and established fuel supply provide practical advantages over some other alternative fuels, while the potential to transition towards lower-carbon alternatives offers shipowners valuable optionality over the lifetime of their vessels,” Stefanos said.     While LNG is available in 222 ports worldwide according to a new study by fellow class society Lloyd’s Register (LR) it raised concerns about the ability to bunker other alternative fuels.     LR identified 385 methanol-capable and 45 ammonia-capable vessels on order but noted that just 25 ports offer methanol bunkering and commercial ammonia bunkering had taken place in just one port.     Kamran Ul Haq, Senior Vice President, LR Ports Advisory, said: “The fleet is moving faster than the infrastructure needed to support it. An owner can order an alternative-fuel vessel today, but that does not mean the fuel will be available where that ship needs it. Fuel strategy and trading strategy can no longer be considered separately.   

 “Ports do not need to back every fuel. They need to understand where credible demand will emerge and put the safety, regulation, skills and partnerships in place to respond. Ports that make those decisions early will be better positioned as alternative-fuel volumes grow.”