Latest figures from classification society DNV’s Alternative Fuels Insight (AFI) platform saw a total of 49 new orders for alternative-fuelled vessels were placed in April 2025.

This represents a 5% increase compared to last year, despite the backdrop of a decline in overall newbuild orders. 

Methanol and LNG saw similar numbers of new vessel orders in April, with 24 and 20 respectively. Methanol orders were concentrated in the container (14) and RoPax (9) segments, with one additional order in the tanker segment. Orders for LNG fuelled vessels were distributed across the container (16), cruise (2), and RoPax (2) segments. 

The concentration of orders in the container segment reflects ongoing activity from cargo operators, while the presence of orders across RoPax, cruise, and other segments points to a more diverse uptake of alternative fuels compared to previous months. 

Additionally, there were two new orders for hydrogen-fuelled vessels in the cruise segment, marking the first orders since June 2024. 

Jason Stefanatos, Global Decarbonization Director at DNV Maritime, said: “Methanol and LNG going head-to-head this month reflects how fuel choices are evolving. Methanol has rebounded quickly after a quieter start to the year, while LNG remains strong with uptake diversifying beyond the container segment.  

“Seeing LNG and methanol fuelled vessels ordered at similar levels shows how owners are weighing flexibility, fuel availability, and segment-specific needs when ordering.” 

“Continued strength in the alternative-fuelled vessel market stands out, even amid a broader slowdown in newbuild activity.”

Photo credit: DNV
Published: 6 May, 2025

Classification society DNV on Monday (28 April) released an article summarizing how shipowners can apply a practical, structured approach to gaining approval for ammonia- or hydrogen-fuelled ships. 

From engaging early with flag administrations to addressing design risks, training crews, and managing bunkering safely, DNV described seven essential steps to receive approval:

The paper – Safe introduction of alternative fuels: Focus on ammonia and hydrogen as ship fuels – offers a structured pathway for shipowners to achieve approval through IMO’s alternative design approval (ADA) process.

Seven steps to obtain approval for ammonia- and hydrogen-fuelled ships

“We outline seven steps to assist shipowners and other stakeholders in obtaining approval and safely deploying ammonia- and hydrogen-fuelled ships in today’s immature regulatory environment,” says Linda Hammer, Principal Consultant, Environment Advisory at DNV and lead author of the white paper. “The regulatory path is certainly complex, but the steps and safety measures in the paper add up to a clear, achievable pathway to ship approval and safe operations. It also explains how DNV’s support can significantly ease this process through its tailored rule sets and learnings from pilot projects.”

Understanding ADA phases: From initial design to final approval

IMO’s IGF Code (International Code of Safety for Ship Using Gases or Other Low-flashpoint Fuels) currently covers natural gas but not ammonia or hydrogen. Without detailed regulations, IMO’s risk-based ADA process (MSC.1/Circ.1455) is used. It involves demonstrating that the ship’s safety level is equivalent to that of conventional oil-fuelled vessels.

ADA has two main phases. A preliminary design approval requires a hazard identification (HAZID) study, developing a preliminary risk assessment, and defining preliminary risk-control measures and safety strategies.

Phase two, final design approval, starts with refining the design with detailed technical and safety documentation, then making a final risk assessment, addressing integration and operation-specific concerns. Then come complete system integration testing and submitting findings to the flag administration.

Role of class and flag administrations in approval process

As the IMO regulatory framework progresses towards eventually amending the IGF Code, classification societies like DNV can give shipowners a head start in designing vessels by issuing class certificates and providing prescriptive rule frameworks to support ADA. 

Flag administrations enforce statutory regulations and have the final say on approvals. Early and active engagement with the relevant flag administration is therefore the key to clarifying approval expectations and streamlining ADA.

Subject to flag administration acceptance, the DNV rules can be applied as the flag administration’s approval basis or to significantly reduce the complexity of ADA.

Simplifying ship approval: DNV’s rules for ammonia and hydrogen fuels

DNV’s classification rules for ammonia and hydrogen (i.e. the “Gas fuelled ammonia” notation published in 2021 and the 2024 “Gas fuelled hydrogen” notation) provide structured, prescriptive requirements as far as possible to simplify ADA. Applying them helps reduce uncertainty in flag administration approval, streamlines design focus by aligning with expected risk assessments, and provides predictability to shipowners, ship designers and shipyards.  

The paper describes step-by-step actions for obtaining approval. First, engage DNV and the flag administration early to clarify the approval basis. “DNV can help owners and yards in the initial contact with the flag administration to obtain necessary clarification regarding the approval scope and process,” says Hammer.

Second, align the design with DNV rules to ensure it provides a strong technical basis for risk evaluation. Third, tap into DNV’s extensive and growing experience from prior projects to anticipate what risk studies and documentation may be needed.

The paper also discusses measures to manage the new technical, human and organizational risks that both fuels bring compared to conventional fuels. DNV’s dedicated ship rules for each fuel type outline technical requirements and mitigation systems to integrate during design and operation.

Note: DNV’s full article on ‘Practical guide for approval of ammonia- or hydrogen-fuelled ships’ can be read here.

Related: DNV releases white paper on safe and scalable adoption of ammonia, hydrogen bunker fuels

Photo credit: DNV
Published: 30 April, 2025

PT HDF Energy Indonesia, a subsidiary of French hydrogen infrastructure developer HDF Energy, recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Indonesia’s Ministry of Transportation (MoT), state-owned electric utility PT PLN (Persero) and ferry operator PT ASDP Indonesia Ferry (Persero). 

The agreement outlined a joint study to decarbonise Indonesia’s maritime sector using locally produced green hydrogen. The study will be conducted in collaboration with, and co-funded by, the International Maritime Organization (IMO).

The MoU was signed during the Global Hydrogen Ecosystem Summit on April 15, 2025 in Indonesia. 

The study will focus on Eastern Indonesia, a region with plenty of sun and home to many of ASDP’s strategic ferry routes. HDF Energy is currently developing 23 Renewstable® hydrogen power plants in the region. These facilities combine a solar park with substantial on-site energy storage in the form of green hydrogen to provide non-intermittent, stable and 100% clean electricity to the grid, day and night.

By generating surplus green hydrogen at a competitive marginal cost, Renewstable® plants also pave the way for the supply of green hydrogen to decarbonise maritime transport. The hydrogen produced will be used to power the high-power fuel cells developed and manufactured by HDF Energy in France, a modular, reliable solution tailored to the conversion of maritime fleets.

With this project, HDF Energy is deploying an integrated approach: producing competitive green hydrogen locally and offering a zero-emission maritime vessels’ propulsion solution based on its fuel cells.

ASDP, which operates one of the world’s largest ferry networks, plays a critical role in connecting Indonesia’s remote islands. As a key player in the maritime sector’s energy transition, the company will contribute to the study to identify opportunities for converting its fleet and port infrastructures. The aim is to replace traditional diesel engines with solutions based on green hydrogen and renewable electricity, in order to significantly reduce emissions.

PLN has already taken a proactive role in launching hydrogen pilot projects across the country. The company previously signed an MoU with HDF Energy to accelerate the deployment of Renewstable® hydrogen power plants as a green alternative to diesel-based power — a collaboration representing potential investments of up to USD 2.3 billion, supported by international development institutions including the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation (DFC).

On the same occasion, HDF also signed an MoU with PT Pelayaran Bahtera Adhiguna (PT BAg), a national shipping company specialising in sea transportation services for primary energy distribution across Indonesia. The partnership reflects a joint commitment to assessing hydrogen as a clean alternative to power auxiliary systems on large vessels.

Mathieu Geze, HDF Energy’s Director for APAC and President Director of PT HDF Energy Indonesia, stated: “We are proud to reaffirm our commitment to a Net Zero emission future through this strategic collaboration. Working together with PLN, ASDP, the Ministry of Transportation, and with PT Bag, we aim to place Indonesia at the forefront of green hydrogen innovation in the Asia-Pacific. Our fuel cells represent a decisive step forward in the decarbonization of maritime transport in the Indonesian archipelago, as well as a formidable showcase for French innovation on the international stage.”

On a regional scale, this partnership in Indonesia is part of HDF Energy’s development drive in Southeast Asia. 

On 11 April, in the Philippines, HDF signed a MoU with the Department of Transportation to harness green hydrogen—produced by HDF’s Renewstable® power plants currently under development—to power the next generation of hydrogen-fuelled maritime vessels. 

The following day in Vietnam, HDF entered into a strategic partnership with ACST, an organisation affiliated with the Ministry of Construction, to advance green hydrogen solutions, including the retrofitting of diesel ferries with HDF’s hydrogen fuel cells.

Photo credit: HDF Energy
Published: 22 April, 2025