Shipowner and marine engineering solutions provider James Fisher and Sons (James Fisher) on Thursday (3 July) said it has marked a major construction milestone in the build of its LNG dual-fuel chemical tankers at the China Merchants Industry Yangzhou Dingheng Shipyard (YZDH).  

The company said the keel was laid for Orca Fisher, the first of four vessels in the Sealife class, in late May. 

The vessels were introduced as part of James Fisher’s Fleet of the Future, a long-term programme to modernise its tankships fleet with more efficient, lower-carbon vessels that support the use of alternative fuel propulsion. 

The new fleet – which include Orca Fisher, Narwhal Fisher, Tiger Fisher and Dolphin Fisher – are scheduled to join the fleet from early 2026, fulfilling the long-term demand for mid-sized ships in North-West Europe coastal shipping markets.  

Michael Arkley, Product Line Director (Tankships) at James Fisher, said: “This milestone marks more than the start of a hull – it’s a continuation of our ongoing and unwavering commitment to decarbonise the fleet and strengthen operational performance for our customers. It also reflects the depth of collaboration and trust we’ve built with YZDH, Bureau Veritas, Alpha Marine and other key partners across two successful newbuild programmes to date.”

The latest programme follows the successful delivery of Sir John Fisher and Lady Maria Fisher in 2023. Together, the vessels represent a third of James Fisher’s fleet and a multi-year partnership with YZDH, now responsible for constructing six of its ships.  

Manifold Times previously reported James Fisher ordering four new LNG dual fuel tankers from China Merchants Jinling Shipyard (Yangzhou) Dingheng.

Related: James Fisher orders LNG dual-fuel tanker quartet from Chinese shipyard

Photo credit: James Fisher and Sons
Published: 4 July, 2025

Shipbuilder Hanwha Ocean on Wednesday (2 July) announced it has been selected as the preferred bidder to build South Korea’s next-generation research icebreaker, commissioned by the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries.

The vessel, designed for polar exploration and scientific missions, will have a gross tonnage of 16,560 tonnes. Equipped with a liquid natural gas (LNG) dual-fuel electric propulsion system and capable of breaking through 1.5-meter-thick ice in both directions, it is a Polar Class (PC) 3 vessel that can withstand temperatures as low as -45 degrees Celsius.

Hanwha Ocean’s next-generation icebreaking research vessel will begin design after the signing of the contract in July, with an expected completion date of December 2029 that will complement and expand South Korea’s polar research mission.

“This project marks another key milestone in our leadership in polar shipbuilding. So far, we have successfully delivered 21 icebreaking LNG carriers — the most in the world,” the company said in a social media post. 

The company recently secured a national R&D project to develop a PC2-class icebreaker capable of year-round operation in the Arctic high latitudes.

“The Arctic is rapidly emerging as more than just a new shipping route — it’s becoming a strategic arena for resources, logistics, and technological leadership. We are moving swiftly to cultivate the icebreaker sector as one of our future growth drivers,” Hanwha Ocean added. 

Photo credit: Hanwha Ocean
Published: 4 July, 2025

Ordering of alternative-fueled vessels is continuing to grow in 2025, despite a slowdown in the overall newbuild market, classification society DNV said Tuesday (1 July). 

According to data from DNV’s Alternative Fuels Insight (AFI) platform, new orders for alternative-fueled vessels reached 19.8 million gross tonnes (GT) in the first six months of 2025, exceeding the 2024 figure by 78%. 

This marks a significant shift in capital allocation, as shipowners increasingly prioritize future-ready assets in response to regulatory pressure, fuel availability, and long-term decarbonization goals.

A total of 151 alternative-fueled vessels were ordered in the first half of 2025, slightly behind the 179 orders placed during the first six months of 2024. Even so, the overall GT has increased markedly, showing a 78% year-on-year growth driven mainly by activity in the container segment, but with notable orders also in the bulker, tanker and RoPax segments. 

This concentration suggests that some of the industry’s most commercially exposed and operationally complex segments are now leading the charge, reinforcing the view that alternative fuels are no longer a fringe strategy, but a mainstream investment decision.

Knut Ørbeck-Nilssen, CEO Maritime at DNV, said: “We’re seeing a broader shift take hold across the industry. The energy transition is no longer driven solely by first movers, it’s now being shaped by a second wave of shipowners who are integrating alternative fuels and technologies into their core strategies.

“Even in a slower newbuild market, fuel choices are diversifying, and decarbonization is becoming embedded in everyday decision-making. We expect that fuel choices and energy efficiency investments will accelerate as the regulatory framework becomes clearer over the next 4-10 months.”

LNG was the clear fuel of choice, accounting for 87 new vessels ordered, totaling 14.2 million GT so far in 2025. The fuel remains dominant in the container segment, with 13.6 million GT (81 vessels). Methanol has also shown strong momentum, with 4.6 million GT (40 vessels) ordered across the container, RoPax, tanker, offshore, and car carrier segments. 

Ammonia and hydrogen, while still niche, continue to register activity, suggesting early-stage confidence in their long-term potential. Three ammonia-fueled were added to the orderbook, primarily in the tanker and general cargo segments (37.000 GT total). Hydrogen made a return with four vessels (114.000 GT) currently on order.

Jason Stefanatos, Global Decarbonization Director at DNV, added: “The data reflects a sector that is actively recalibrating. We’re not seeing a slowdown in ambition, but rather a more measured approach to investment—one that balances optionality, compliance readiness, and long-term fuel strategy. 

“As shipowners weigh compliance strategies, the upcoming fuel intensity rules, which form part of the IMO’s Net-Zero Framework, are expected to accelerate this shift. We’re watching closely to see how this will be reflected in future ordering behavior, particularly as fuel availability and infrastructure evolve, and we get further regulatory clarity when IMO’s lifecycle assessment guidelines are decided.”

Supporting infrastructure is also evolving in parallel with vessel investments. In the first half of 2025, 13 LNG bunkering vessels were ordered, compared to 62 in operation globally, with February marking the strongest month for this segment with eight orders. This growth reflects a steady alignment between alternative-fuelled vessel orders and the supporting logistics required to scale their use, particularly for LNG, where bunkering capacity is becoming a critical enabler of continued adoption.

Photo credit: DNV
Published: 2 July, 2025