Top 10 Maritime Projects: SOFC Pilots by Equinor, 256 LNG Vessels, and Methanol Orders (2024 to 2026)

The global maritime industry is executing a decisive pivot towards decarbonization, driven by large-scale investments in dual-fuel technologies to de-risk the energy transition. An analysis of commercial activity from 2024 to 2026 reveals that while methanol and Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) are the dominant near-term choices for major shipping lines, pioneering projects in ammonia and Solid Oxide Fuel Cells (SOFC) are setting the stage for the next wave of zero-emission propulsion. Major carriers like Hapag-Lloyd and Maersk have committed to over 600, 000 TEU of new methanol-powered capacity, while the order book for LNG-capable vessels grew by 256 ships in 2025 alone. The primary theme for 2025 is managing regulatory pressure and fuel price volatility through technological flexibility, a strategy underscored by the massive investment in dual-fuel engines that ensure operational resilience amid uncertainty.

1. Hapag-Lloyd Fleet Expansion

Company: Hapag-Lloyd
Capacity: 312, 000 TEU (24 vessels)
Application: Methanol dual-fuel container ships
Source: Hapag-Lloyd orders 24 new container ships

2. Maersk Fleet Revitalization Program

Company: Maersk
Capacity: 300, 000 TEU (20 vessels)
Application: Methanol dual-fuel container ships
Source: Maersk completes order of 20 dual-fuel vessels

3. Evergreen Marine Corp Methanol Feeders

Company: Evergreen Marine Corp
Capacity: 14, 400 TEU (Six 2, 400 TEU vessels)
Application: Methanol dual-fuel container ships for regional routes
Source: Green Shipping – EVERGREEN MARINE CORP.

4. Evergreen Marine Corp Large LNG Vessels

Company: Evergreen Marine Corp
Capacity: 24, 000 TEU class vessels
Application: LNG dual-fuel ultra-large container vessels
Source: Green Shipping – EVERGREEN MARINE CORP.

5. Naturgy and Enagás LNG Bunker Vessel

Company: Naturgy and Enagás
Capacity: 18, 900 m³ cargo capacity
Application: LNG supply (bunker) vessel
Source: Naturgy and Enagás to charter an LNG supply vessel

6. NYK Line’s Ammonia-Fueled Gas Carrier

Company: NYK Line
Capacity: One medium gas carrier (MGC)
Application: World’s first ammonia-fueled main engine vessel
Source: Which Shipowners Are Choosing Ammonia? – Marine Link

7. Asyad Shipping Fleet Expansion

Company: Asyad Shipping
Capacity: 30 new vessels ($2.7 billion investment)
Application: Fleet expansion incorporating alternative fuels
Source: Most Innovative Companies in Maritime 2025 – Thetius

8. COSCO Shipping’s Ammonia/LPG Vessel

Company: COSCO Shipping
Capacity: Not specified
Application: Dual-fuel vessel (Ammonia/LPG)
Source: Most Innovative Companies in Maritime 2025 – Thetius

9. Equinor’s “Viking Energy” Ammonia Fuel Cell Retrofit

Company: Equinor
Capacity: 2 MW
Application: Direct ammonia Solid Oxide Fuel Cell (SOFC) for main propulsion
Source: Equinor – Ammonia Energy Association

10. Doosan’s Marine SOFC Project

Company: Doosan Fuel Cell
Capacity: 600 k W
Application: SOFC system for auxiliary power on ships
Source: Fuel Cell Technology in the European Union

Table: Top 10 Zero-Emission Maritime Projects (2024-2026)

Dual-Fuel Flexibility, Hapag-Lloyd Orders 24 Ships for Resilience

The overwhelming trend is the adoption of dual-fuel engines as a strategic hedge against regulatory and market uncertainty. By ordering vessels capable of running on both conventional fuel and a green alternative like methanol or LNG, shipping lines ensure they can remain compliant with evolving emissions standards, such as the EU’s Fuel EU Maritime regulation, while retaining the flexibility to switch fuels based on price and availability. This strategy is not limited to one vessel type; it spans from the largest container ships ordered by Hapag-Lloyd and Maersk to smaller regional feeders from Evergreen and even infrastructure vessels like the LNG bunker ship chartered by Naturgy and Enagás. This wide application demonstrates a sector-wide consensus that flexibility is the key to navigating the multi-decade energy transition.

Maritime Fuels vs. GHG Reduction Goals

This chart directly relates to the section’s discussion of regulatory compliance by comparing the GHG reduction potential of various fuels against the mandated FuelEU Maritime trajectory.

(Source: SEA-LNG)

Europe vs. Asia, NYK’s Ammonia Carrier Leads Asian Pilots

A clear geographical pattern has emerged in the adoption of next-generation fuels. European container giants, particularly Maersk and Hapag-Lloyd, are leading the charge on methanol, placing massive orders that create immediate, large-scale demand and anchor the nascent green methanol supply chain. In contrast, Asian shipping lines and shipbuilders are at the forefront of ammonia development. Japan’s NYK Line is poised to launch the world’s first ammonia-fueled carrier in 2026, while China’s COSCO Shipping has already unveiled a dual-fuel ammonia/LPG engine. This regional specialization is further supported by technology providers, with South Korean firms like Doosan advancing critical enabling technologies like SOFCs, positioning Asia as a hub for next-generation propulsion R&D and pilot projects.

Shipping Giants’ Orderbooks Reveal Fuel Split

The chart visually confirms the section’s core argument by showing how orderbooks for major carriers are split between LNG and Methanol, reflecting the described geographical strategies.

(Source: Global Maritime Hub)

256 LNG Vessels, Methanol and LNG Dominate Near-Term Orders

The data from 2024-2026 reveals a clear hierarchy in technology maturity. Methanol and LNG are commercially ready and scaling fast. The 256 LNG-capable vessels and over 600, 000 TEU of methanol-powered ships ordered in 2024 and 2025 represent billions in capital investment, signaling strong market confidence. Ammonia is one step behind, currently in the critical pilot and demonstration phase. Projects like NYK’s ammonia carrier and COSCO’s engine are designed to prove the technical viability and safety case for ammonia, paving the way for commercial orders expected post-2027. Solid Oxide Fuel Cells (SOFC) represent the next frontier. Projects like Equinor’s 2 MW main propulsion system and Doosan’s 600 k W auxiliary unit are crucial for moving SOFC technology from industrial applications to the harsh marine environment, targeting high efficiency and true zero-emission power generation.

Equinor’s 2 MW SOFC Project Signals Future Propulsion (2026-2029)

The most critical strategic development to watch is the performance of first-of-a-kind ammonia and SOFC pilot projects. The operational data from Equinor’s “Viking Energy” and NYK’s ammonia-fueled MGC will be the ultimate determinant for when these technologies transition from pilots to large-scale commercial orders, with the industry closely watching for signals on efficiency, reliability, and safety between 2026 and 2029.

• The traction of large-scale green fuel supply agreements, such as Hapag-Lloyd’s deal with Goldwind for 250, 000 tonnes of e-methanol, indicates that the fuel infrastructure for methanol is maturing faster than for ammonia, solidifying its role as a key transitional fuel.
• Increasingly stringent regulations post-2025, including the ramp-up of the EU’s Fuel EU Maritime intensity reduction targets, will intensify the search for true zero-emission solutions, strengthening the business case for investments in ammonia and SOFC technology to meet future compliance mandates.
• The progress in engine technology, demonstrated by COSCO’s dual-fuel ammonia/LPG vessel, is a crucial leading indicator. As engine manufacturers de-risk the core propulsion system, it lowers the barrier for shipowners to commit to ammonia-ready newbuilds, potentially compressing the adoption timeline.

Marine Fuel Cell Market Growth Forecast

As the section highlights the importance of SOFC pilot projects, this chart’s forecast for the marine fuel cell market directly underscores the technology’s future significance.

(Source: IDTechEx)

The questions your competitors are already asking

This report covers one angle of the commercial trajectory of maritime decarbonization. The questions that matter most depend on your work.

• Which shipping lines are gaining or losing ground in the race to deploy alternative-fuel vessels?
• How does methanol compare to LNG for new container ship orders based on contracted capacity and bunkering infrastructure?
• What is the outlook for ammonia-fueled and SOFC-powered vessel deployment in commercial shipping by 2030?

This report does not answer these. Enki Brief Pro does.

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