Alternative fuels need infrastructure: Why gas bunker vessels matter

The maritime industry is entering a period of growing fuel diversity. While much of the discussion focuses on fuels, engines, and regulations, the transition will also depend on the infrastructure needed to supply alternative fuels safely, reliably, and at scale. DNV’s new white paper, Gas bunker vessels – Facilitating the transition to alternative fuels, details how gas bunker vessels are becoming a critical part of that infrastructure and analyses the key factors shaping their future development, from market growth and vessel design to safety, operational readiness, and the adoption of emerging fuels such as ammonia.

LNG success creates a new supply challenge LNG has become the most widely adopted gaseous marine fuel and the first to achieve large-scale commercial deployment. According to DNV’s Alternative Fuels Insight platform, around 900 LNG-fuelled vessels are now in operation worldwide, excluding LNG carriers. Around 650 additional vessels are expected to join the fleet before 2030, further increasing demand for LNG as a marine fuel.

As the LNG-fuelled fleet expands, pressure is growing across the entire bunkering ecosystem. LNG consumption by LNG-fuelled vessels increased by more than 500% between 2020 and 2024, with a further 167% growth expected between 2025 and 2030. The white paper argues that bunkering infrastructure is not keeping pace with this rapid expansion, creating a widening gap between fuel demand and available bunkering capacity.

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