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.


Christiania Energy headquarters. Christiania Energy relocates headquarters within Odense Harbour  

Bunker firm moves to larger waterfront office to accommodate growing team and collaboration needs.

AiP award ceremony for 20K LNGBV design. HD Hyundai Heavy Industries receives design approval for 20,000-cbm LNG bunkering vessel  

Bureau Veritas grants approval in principle following joint development project with South Korean shipbuilder.

Lloyd’s Register technical committee meeting in Spain. Peninsula outlines dual role in FuelEU Maritime compliance at Lloyd’s Register panel  

Marine fuel supplier discusses challenges for shipowners and opportunities for suppliers under new regulation.

Current status of fleet fuel types chart. LNG-fuelled container ships dominate January alternative-fuel vessel orders  

Container ships accounted for 16 of 20 alternative-fuelled vessels ordered in January, DNV reports.

Rick Boom, CIMAC and Professor Lynn Loo, GCMD. GCMD and CIMAC sign partnership to advance alternative marine fuel readiness  

Two-year agreement aims to bridge operational experience with technical standards for decarbonisation solutions.

Renewable and low-carbon methanol project pipeline chart as of January 2026. Renewable methanol project pipeline reaches 58.2m tonnes by 2031, GENA reports  

Project Navigator Methanol tracks 275 projects, including e-methanol, biomethanol and low-carbon methanol facilities globally.

Petrobras logo. Petrobras adjusts bunker pricing and minimum order volumes at Santos  

Brazilian supplier discontinues volume discount tier and lowers minimum order quantity from 1 March.

Viking Grace vessel. Viking Line secures biogas supply for 2026 after tenfold increase in biofuel use  

Åland-based ferry operator aims to maintain 50% biogas blend throughout the year on two vessels.

GNV Aurora vessel. GNV takes delivery of second LNG-powered vessel Aurora from Chinese shipyard  

Vessel to enter service on Genoa–Palermo route in April, completing first fleet renewal phase.

Tangier Maersk vessel. Maersk takes delivery of first methanol-capable vessel in 9,000-teu series  

Tangier Maersk is the first of six mid-size container ships with methanol-capable dual-fuel engines.


↑  Back to Top