ORE than 500 dual-fuel container ships and vehicle carriers are now operating worldwide, with total investment surpassing US$200bn, according to the latest World Shipping Council (WSC) Dual-Fuel Fleet Dashboard.
As of September 2026, 503 dual-fuel ships were on the water, up 41% from 358 at the same time last year.
A further 849 ships are on order, bringing the total delivered or on order to 1,352 ships.
These ships are designed to operate on either conventional marine fuels or alternative fuel types, including renewable and lower-emission fuels.
“The container ship and vehicle carrier industry have committed more than $200 billion to ships that can run on cleaner fuels, with more than 500 already sailing and hundreds more on the way,” said Joe Kramek WSC president and chief executive.
“The investment is happening, but these ships need commercially competitive alternative fuels to deliver their full potential to reduce emissions.”
According to the WSC, the latest figures show that alternative-fuel-capable ships remain the dominant choice for container ship and vehicle carrier orders.
However, as the overall orderbook has expanded, orders for conventional-fuelled ships have also increased compared with a year ago.
This is said to occur during a time of uncertainty over global greenhouse gas regulation at the International Maritime Organization (IMO), highlighting the importance of clear global rules to support future investment decisions.
“Ships ordered today will be operating for decades,” Mr Kramek said.
“Shipping companies and fuel producers need certainty to make the investments that will shape the future fleet and its fuel supply.”
The WSC has said it “strongly supports” a global greenhouse gas measure through the IMO, in line with its 2023 GHG Strategy.
A global measure is said to be essential to closing the cost gap between conventional and renewable and near-zero emission fuels.
“We need a global measure with clear rules and strong, consistent enforcement that gives companies the confidence to invest in the production of cleaner fuels and the infrastructure needed to supply them,” Mr Kramek said.
“We trust IMO member states can come together to deliver that framework. Every delay means increased uncertainty, making the transition harder and costlier for the global economy.”