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The global dual-fuel fleet for container and vehicle carriers reached 1,204 vessels delivered or on order—a 65% year-over-year increase in active ships
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This represents $180 billion in private investment, according to the World Shipping Council
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Dual-fuel technology, which allows ships to switch between conventional and low-emission fuels, now dominates new orders for vehicle carriers (94%) and container ships (78%), significantly outpacing the 17% adoption rate seen in the rest of the global merchant fleet
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WSC president Joe Kramek said dual-fuel vessels serve as long-term, risk-mitigating investments, though he noted that clear International Maritime Organization regulations are still required to scale the infrastructure for alternative fuels
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New data from the May 12 WSC dashboard indicates a major capital shift toward decarbonization, with the shipping industry prioritizing container and vehicle transport sectors over other maritime categories
The global fleet of dual-fuel container ships and vehicle carriers has reached a combined total of 1,204 vessels delivered or on order, according to data from the World Shipping Council (WSC).
The figures, published in the March 2026 WSC Dual-Fuel Fleet Dashboard, indicate a 65% year-over-year increase in active vessels. Currently, 440 dual-fuel ships are in operation, while another 764 are on order. This fleet expansion represents approximately $180 billion in private investment by the liner shipping industry.
Dual-fuel vessels are designed to run on both conventional petroleum-based fuels and alternative, lower-emission options such as liquefied natural gas, methanol, or ammonia. This flexibility allows operators to switch fuel sources as regulatory requirements tighten and the availability of renewable fuels increases.
The transition is most pronounced in the new-build sector. According to the report, 94% of vehicle carriers and 78% of container ships currently on order are equipped with dual-fuel technology. By contrast, only 17% of the order book for the remainder of the global merchant fleet consists of dual-fuel vessels.
Joe Kramek, president and CEO of the WSC, in a statement said these ships are intended to be multi-decadal investments. He noted that the dual-pathway capability is intended to mitigate risks associated with shifting energy markets and to bolster supply chain resilience.
The industry’s move toward these vessels comes as the International Maritime Organization continues to negotiate global regulatory frameworks for shipping emissions. Kramek emphasized that continued engagement with the IMO is necessary to establish the regulatory certainty required to scale up the production and infrastructure for alternative fuels.
The data highlights a significant shift in how the shipping industry is allocating capital toward decarbonization, prioritizing container and vehicle transport over other maritime sectors. Full details of the fleet transition were made available through the WSC’s tracking dashboard on May 12.
