According to the latest update of the Dual-Fuel Fleet Dashboard published by the World Shipping Council (WSC), the issue of container ships and dual-fuel car carriers in service in the world it has exceeded 500, reaching 503 units. The association, which represents companies operating services liners, highlighted that this is a goal that reflects a massive acceleration in investment by of shipowners, which have reached a total of over 200 billion of dollars between ships already delivered and orders in the portfolio.

In particular, the data updated to September 2026 photograph a sector in profound evolution. Dual-fuel ships operating are 503, with a jump of +41% compared to the 358 units surveyed in the same period of the previous year. In addition, there are 849 dual-fuel ships currently on order, bringing the grand total of the fleet in the water and under construction to 1,352 units. These ships are designed to be powered by both traditional marine fuels from both low- and zero-grade alternative propellants emissions such as green methanol or LNG/biomethane.

Market preference for dual-fuel technology appears net value, particularly in the reference segments of the shipping sector of line. The report points out that in the container ship sector, the Units capable of exploiting alternative fuels They account for 65% of total orders based on deadweight. The gap is even more marked between ships car-carriers, where as many as 97% of new orders concern ships with dual fuel. By way of comparison, in the rest of the fleet global merchant market, the percentage stops at 23%.

WSC pointed out that despite financial commitments Industry records for the decarbonisation of transport maritime level, however, strong elements of uncertainty persist. Global indecision on greenhouse gas (GHG) regulations discussed at the International Maritime Organization (IMO) stimulated, in parallel with green growth, also an increase in of orders for ships with traditional engines compared to a year ago. In this regard, highlighting that "the ships ordered today they will remain operational for decades", the president and CEO of the World Shipping Council, Joe Kramek, stressed that "the shipping companies and fuel manufacturers need of certainty to make investments that can shape the fleet of the future and its supply chain".

The World Shipping Council has therefore reiterated the need to adopt a global greenhouse gas measure in line with the IMO 2023 strategy, being an international regulatory framework considered essential not only to bridge the gap between fossil fuels and renewable fuels, but also for avoid the risk of regional regulatory fragmentation that would end up increasing the costs and complexity of the "Any delay," Kramek noted, increases uncertainty, making the transition more difficult and costly for the global economy".