Vessels powered by alternative propulsion AP methods are poised to claim the majority share of total twenty-foot equivalent unit TEU capacity for the first time, Global Maritime Hub reports.
Currently, conventional fuel oil-powered container ships constitute roughly 74 of the global fleet by number of vessels, totalling 4 847 ships. However, when measured by cargo capacity, these conventionally fuelled ships represent only half of the global container capacity at 16.1 million TEUs.
In stark contrast, alternative propulsion vessels comprising LNG-powered, methanol-powered, and scrubber-fitted ships account for the other half of capacity, with significant growth trajectories. LNG-powered container ships number 195 vessels, representing 3 of the fleet but 7.2 of TEU capacity 2.3 million TEUs.
Methanol-powered vessels, although more limited at 32 ships, hold about 1 of TEU capacity. Scrubber-fitted container vessels, which help reduce harmful emissions from conventional fuels, constitute 22.5 of ships and command 41.7 of TEU capacity, equivalent to 13.4 million TEUs.
This shift is being accelerated by a substantial newbuilding orderbook. There are currently 347 LNG-powered container ships on order, representing a capacity of 5.2 million TEUs, alongside 194 methanol-powered vessels totalling 2.5 million TEUs. Many of these newbuilds are ultra-large container ships ULCS of the Megamax class, capable of carrying over 18 000 TEUs.
Industry experts view this change as a defining milestone in the energy transition of container shipping, signifying not just a numerical shift but a qualitative move towards cleaner, more sustainable fuels driven by tightening environmental regulations and customer demand.
Leading shipping companies like Maersk have already significantly increased their capacity and market share in intra-North European liner trade using these alternative propulsion ships, underscoring the commercial momentum behind this transition.
This trend aligns with wider market data showing increasing investment in alternative-fuelled vessels, especially within the container ship segment. New orders for alternative-fuelled vessels surged in early 2025, despite a general slowdown in total newbuilds, highlighting the prioritisation by shipowners of future-ready, environmentally sustainable assets.
The energy transition in maritime shipping is no longer niche but mainstream, with LNG and methanol dominant among alternative fuels, alongside growing explorations into ammonia and hydrogen. The AP evolution marks a critical step towards meeting international carbon reduction targets and reshaping the global container shipping landscape for years to come.