Singapore-based container operator Pacific International Lines (PIL) on Tuesday (25 March) said it has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with classification society ABS at Singapore Maritime Week that establishes a framework to collaborate on projects related to maritime technology, sustainability and safety management systems.

As part of the overall strategic partnership, the MoU allows PIL and ABS to exchange technical knowledge and jointly explore innovative maritime technologies. The ABS Technology and Singapore Innovation Research Center will provide modeling and simulation to support PIL’s new vessel constructions and existing vessel retrofits.

ABS Sustainability specialists will work with PIL to develop an energy-efficiency strategy including techno-economic studies, and the implementation of practical decarbonisation measures that enhance environmental performance.

Safety is another key focus area of the agreement, with ABS providing guidance for Port State Control improvement and aligning safety standards with global best practices.

Christopher J. Wiernicki, ABS Chairman and CEO, said: “We look forward to capitalising on our unique strengths and capabilities in maritime compliance and cutting-edge technologies to advance safety, emissions reduction and operational efficiency.”

Lars Kastrup, CEO of PIL, said, “This MoU reinforces our commitment and supports our plans to future-proof our fleet. Partnering with ABS allows us to leverage world-class expertise to drive innovation, advance decarbonisation, and enhance safety management.”

“This long-term collaboration is a testament to our dedication to driving progress, ensuring that we stay ahead of regulatory changes while maintaining operational excellence and environmental responsibility.”

The MoU will enable PIL to advance the resilience and competitiveness of its fleet by exploring innovative solutions, fostering technical knowledge exchange, and assessing emerging maritime and decarbonisation technologies. PIL has recently taken delivery of four new LNG dual-fuel container vessels and has another 14 on order that can benefit from this partnership.

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Photo credit: Pacific International Lines
Published: 26 March, 2025

Cummins on Thursday (6 March) said it has received Approval in Principle (AiP) from DNV for its methanol-ready QSK60 IMO II and IMO III marine engines.

The engines are available in power ratings from 2000 to 2700 hp (1491 - 2013 kW). 

The company said the approval, granted in June 2024, validated Cummins' retrofittable methanol dual-fuel solution for the global marine market, ensuring compliance with the highest standards of safety and performance.

Following extensive field testing, Cummins plans to launch the retrofit kits for the QSK60 post-2028 to align with market demand and infrastructure readiness. Designed for diesel-electric systems, these kits can be integrated with battery technology to optimize efficiency and sustainability.

Dawn Wehr, Cummins Executive Director – Strategy, Product Planning & Digital, said: “Using a retrofittable solution dismisses the need for a major vessel overhaul and creates an immediate positive impact on carbon-emissions reduction. With our continual work on developing solutions for other alcohol fuels, including ethanol, we are committed to providing solutions that work for different operations and fuel infrastructure availabilities to ensure ease of adoption.”

The approval builds on Cummins' August 2023 announcement permitting the use of renewable diesel, such as hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO), across its high-horsepower engine range. By leveraging renewable diesel in dual-fuel solutions, ship operators can make significant progress towards reducing carbon emissions.

Photo credit: Cummins
Published: 7 March, 2025

Engine manufacturer MAN Energy Solutions on Monday (9 December) said Maersk has placed a pre-order for MAN PrimeServ to convert an additional 10 vessels from its fleet to methanol operation.

This comes following the successful methanol engine retrofit of Very Large Container Vessel Maersk Halifax. The 15,000 teu vessel entered service in 2017 and was originally powered by an MAN B&W 8G95ME-C9.5 prime mover. 

The retrofit to an 8G95ME-LGIM Mk10.5 engine enables the Maersk Halifax to operate on green methanol, making it possible to reduce its CO2 emissions by 90%.

The retrofit also included an upgrade to the vessel’s engine-control system to MAN Energy Solutions’ latest Triton system. Following the completion of sea-trials, Maersk Halifax has returned to operation and is now servicing A.P. Moller - Maersk’s (Maersk) Trans-Pacific trade.

Leonardo Sonzio, Head of Fleet Management and Technology at Maersk, said: “Since we set the ambitious climate goal of reaching net zero emissions by 2040, we have explored the potential in retrofitting existing vessels with dual-fuel engines.”

“In the coming year, we will take learnings from this first conversion of a large vessel. Retrofits of existing vessels can be an important alternative to newbuilds in our transition from fossil fuels to low-emission fuels.”

Michael Petersen, Senior Vice President and Head of PrimeServ Denmark, said: “Retrofits are one of the five growth areas identified in MAN Energy Solutions’ ‘Moving Big Things To Zero’ strategy, enabling shipowners to drastically reduce CO2 emissions without having to commission newbuilds.”

“Retrofitted engines are able to switch between fuels with minimal disruption, flexibility that is crucial for maintaining operational efficiency and reliability. At PrimeServ, we estimate that more than 4,000 existing marine engines have the potential to be converted to operation on green fuels like e-methanol and e-methane.”

Photo credit: MAN Energy Solutions
Published: 11 December, 2024