This is a legacy page. Please click here to view the latest version.
Fri 5 Jan 2018, 15:10 GMT

Boxships top bunker consumption ranking: report


Container ships, bulkers, and oil tankers accounted for around 62% of global bunker consumption in 2015, report says.



Container ships, bulk carriers, and oil tankers accounted for around 62 percent of global bunker consumption and 49 percent of distance travelled in 2015 despite making up only 30 percent of the global fleet, a report published by the International Council on Clean Transportation (ICCT) says.

According to the document, approximately 5,000 container ships made up around 7 percent of the global fleet in 2015, yet consumed the most fuel (25 percent) and energy (26 percent) of any ship class.

Bulk carriers represented 15 percent of the industry's fleet with 10,572 ships, and used 21 percent of shipping's fuel and energy, whilst 5,733 oil tankers made up 8 percent of the world's vessels, consuming 15 percent of its fuel and 14 percent of its energy.

Also making up the top five were chemical tankers and general cargo vessels, with the former representing 6 percent of the world's ships and 7 percent of its bunker and energy use, and the latter making up 13 percent of all vessels and 6 percent of fuel and energy consumption.

Liquefied gas tankers ranked sixth out of 22 ship classes in terms of fuel consumption (5 percent) and energy use (6 percent) - despite making up a small proportion of the fleet in terms of number (2 percent).

While cruise ships were said to represent 1 percent of the world fleet, fuel and energy consumption was calculated to be 4 percent.

Fishing vessels represented 10 percent of the world fleet, accounted for 9 percent of ship operating hours and 7 percent of distance travelled, but were deemed to have been responsible for only 2 percent of fuel consumption and 1 percent of energy use due to the relatively small size of their engines. A similar pattern was observed for tugs and other service vessels.


Map showing existing and planned Emission Control Areas (ECAs). IMO adopts Northeast Atlantic ECA covering waters from Portugal to Greenland  

New ECA to enter into force in September 2027, connecting existing European zones with Canadian Arctic waters.

Renewable and low-carbon methanol project pipeline chart as of April 2026. Renewable methanol project pipeline reaches 61 MMT as China groundbreakings accelerate  

GENA Solutions reports pipeline growth despite concerns over construction readiness for Chinese projects.

Rendering of a diesel-electric chemical tanker. Berg Propulsion to supply propulsion system for Akdeniz-built chemical tanker  

Turkish shipyard Akdeniz orders diesel-electric propulsion package for an 8,000-dwt vessel destined for Transka Tankers.

Ningyuan Diankun vessel. China Classification Society certifies 740-teu pure-electric container ship  

Ningyuan Diankun features battery-swapping capability and is claimed to eliminate 1,462 tonnes of CO2 annually.

UK ETS and FuelEU Maritime event graphic. Lloyd’s Register to host UK ETS and FuelEU Maritime briefing in London  

Event on 12 May will examine maritime emissions regulations ahead of UK ETS expansion.

Ruri Planet vessel. Japanese shipbuilder delivers dual-fuel LNG bulk carrier Ruri Planet  

The 209,000-tonne Capesize vessel can run on heavy fuel oil or LNG.

L&T Energy GreenTech and Itochu agreement signing. L&T Energy GreenTech signs 300,000-tonne green ammonia supply deal with Itochu  

Indian firm to supply Japanese trading house from planned Kandla facility for marine fuel applications.

CMA CGM Iron vessel. Methanol-powered container ship is named CMA CGM D’Artagnan  

French shipping group adds vessel to methanol fleet as part of net-zero target.

Maersk Tahiti vessel. Bound4blue completes second suction sail installation for Maersk Tankers  

Four 24-metre eSAIL units fitted on Maersk Tahiti at Chinese shipyard in April.

Aerial view of Port of Yokohama. Asia-Pacific ports advance cross-sector hydrogen and e-fuel infrastructure  

Accelleron report highlights a coordinated approach combining energy, industry and shipping demand to stimulate market development.


↑  Back to Top