Maersk and 50 shipowners take on massive retrofit drive for time-chartered fleet

In a large-scale programme involving 50 different shipowners, A.P. Moller – Maersk (Maersk) on Thursday (2 October) said it is – in close collaboration with the owners – retrofitting around 200 vessels in its time-chartered fleet. 

The main aim of the programme is to reduce the slot cost by improving fuel efficiency and cargo-carrying capacity leading to a decrease in both cost and greenhouse gas emissions.

Maersk has set the target of a 35% absolute reduction in its scope 1 greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 compared to the 2022 baseline year.

In total, Maersk and time-charter partners have executed more than 1,500 individual projects across 200 vessels with 50 shipowners, and an additional 1,000 projects are in the process of execution scheduled to be finalised by 2027. The investment cost for these solutions is split between Maersk and the vessel owners.

Given the scale of the project, it spans very different vessels in terms of size and configurations, also meaning that the retrofit tools being used vary.

Of the around 200 vessels being retrofitted, a common and significant change to the vessel configuration is the replacement of the propeller or bulbous bow. The integration of an optimally designed bulbous bow reshapes water flow around the hull to reduce drag and enhance hydrodynamic efficiency – ultimately lowering fuel consumption. Alongside this, the replacement of propellers combined with Pre-Swirl Devices plays a crucial role in maximising thrust while minimising energy loss.

Other retrofit solutions such as auxiliary engine waste heat recovery systems allow steam production from auxiliary engine heat, reducing the reliance on fuel-oil-fired boilers. Similarly, the installation of shaft generator systems cuts down auxiliary engine usage, contributing to significant fuel savings.

Cargo-carrying capacity is also being enhanced through a range of structural and technical improvements: elevating the wheelhouse to improve line of sight and increase intake, raising the lashing bridges, strengthening the vessel’s deadweight capacity for deeper drafts, and upgrading both lashing systems and loading computer functionalities.

Ahmed Hassan, Head of Asset Strategy and Strategic Partnerships at Maersk, said: “Our medium- and long-term chartered fleet makes up a significant proportion of our operations as well as of our total fuel consumption. By working closely with our partners, we aim to implement solutions that not only reduce emissions but also enhance the overall competitiveness of our fleet.”

“While fuel transition is needed to reach our long-term goal of net-zero emissions by 2040, investments in existing fleet efficiency enhancement technologies is a powerful tool to gain significant emissions reductions in the short term. Consequently, this strong emphasis on efficiency measures can deliver tangible progress towards our 2030 goal. That goes for owned as well as chartered vessels.”

Photo credit: Maersk
Published: 7 October, 2025