The new report published by LR (Lloyd's Register) titled "Fuel for Thought: Ports" reveals that as of January 2026, 1,942 vessels capable of using alternative fuels were on order. These vessels represent 47% of the total global freight. However, the readiness of ports to accommodate these types of fuels varies significantly.
Differences in Port Readiness for Various Fuels
Port readiness for alternative fuels is clearly different. For example, LNG (liquefied natural gas) bunkering services are available in 222 ports, while only 25 ports actively offer methanol fuel. Additionally, the first commercial bunkering operation of ammonia took place at the Port of Ulsan, South Korea, in April 2026.
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This report also mentions the existence of 385 vessels capable of using methanol and 45 vessels capable of using ammonia. However, the infrastructure and supply of low-carbon fuels for these vessels are still concentrated among a limited number of ports.
The Need for Coordination Between Fuel Strategy and Trade Routes
The LR report points out that the choice of fuel and trade route are now inseparable. Decisions regarding the construction and conversion of vessels must be made with consideration of fuel availability in the ports that the vessels will actually use. Kamran Alhaq, Senior Vice President of LR Ports Advisory, stated: "The fleet is moving faster than the necessary infrastructure to support it. An owner can order an alternative fuel vessel today, but that does not mean fuel will be available where that vessel needs it."
Alhaq added: "Ports do not need to support every type of fuel. They must understand where valid demand will arise and provide safety, regulations, skills, and partnerships in response. Ports that make these decisions earlier will be better positioned as the volume of alternative fuels increases."
The report shows that the transition to new fuels is progressing at varying speeds. While LNG has a nearly global and mature bunkering network, biofuel blends are available as a more immediate option because they can easily move through existing infrastructure. Methanol is becoming a commercial option in a limited number of major ports, while ammonia has transitioned from testing to commercial bunkering in Ulsan but is still in the early stages in other regions.
Research also points to a concentrated geographical transition, with many identified commercial and semi-commercial stages located in Northern Europe, Northern Asia, and Singapore. This reinforces the need to assess fuel availability along individual trade routes and not rely on global readiness metrics for alternative fuels.
Ultimately, for fuels that utilize existing infrastructure, the picture is much more mature. Data from LR's Fuel Oil Bunkering Advisory Services (FOBAS) indicates that in the past 12 months, biofuel deliveries have taken place in 90 ports worldwide. 13 major ports account for 77.5% of the recorded bunkering volumes, with Singapore alone constituting more than a quarter of this amount.
In this context, safety, regulations, and workforce capabilities are also critical determinants of the speed at which ports move from testing to everyday supply. The report highlights the specific site risk assessment, appropriate permits, emergency preparedness, and trained personnel as recurring foundations behind successful alternative fuel operations.
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