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Decarbonisation

Wärtsilä identifies four key trends set to shape future of shipping in 2026

Four key trends highlighted by the company include the rise of digitalisation and big data as well as the growing importance of flexible decarbonisation strategies.
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Wärtsilä identifies four key trends set to shape future of shipping in 2026

As the maritime industry prepares to enter 2026, technology group Wärtsilä recently identified four important trends that will affect global shipping in 2026. 

From the rise of digitalisation and big data to the growing importance of flexible decarbonisation strategies, these trends are set to redefine competitiveness, efficiency, and sustainability for vessel owners and operators worldwide:

  • Lifecycle optimisation: With rapid technological advances and evolving regulations, vessel owners are shifting from short-term fixes to holistic, long-term strategies. Lifecycle optimisation considers environmental impact, operational efficiency, and economic viability from vessel design through to end-of-life, supporting smarter investment decisions and asset value preservation. Collaboration and transparency between owners, operators, and OEMs are key to maximising benefits and navigating future uncertainties.
  • Flexible decarbonisation strategies: Decarbonisation approaches must be tailored to each vessel’s operational profile, available fuels, and business priorities. A flexible strategy – encompassing planning, integration, and continuous monitoring – ensures vessels remain competitive and compliant as technology and regulations evolve. Investments in fuel-flexible engines, hybrid propulsion, and methane slip mitigation are among the solutions enabling owners to future-proof their fleets.
  • Digitalisation, big data, and analytics: The increasing complexity of vessels – featuring hybrid setups, advanced power management, and alternative fuel systems – demands robust digital integration. Harnessing onboard data through advanced analytics enables real-time operational recommendations, driving significant reductions in fuel consumption, emissions, and operational costs. While some industry leaders are already leveraging these capabilities, widespread adoption is still hindered by challenges such as data governance and integration, but the path forward is clear.
  • Less predictable regulations: Despite the recent delay in the IMO’s Net-Zero Framework, the regulatory landscape continues to evolve, with regional initiatives like the EU Emission Trading System and FuelEU Maritime impacting a significant portion of global shipping. As businesses prepare for stricter emissions requirements, robust compliance and reporting protocols are becoming essential.

Looking ahead

“As we look ahead to 2026, collaboration will play a vital part in driving the sustainable transformation of shipping and shaping a cleaner and smarter future for the maritime industry. Wärtsilä’s leadership in fuel flexibility, integration and cross-industry partnerships reflects the growing need for OEMs, operators, ports, fuel providers and regulators to work together. We stand shoulder-to-shoulder with our customers, bringing innovative solutions, expert guidance and a clear focus on enhancing efficiency and creating long-term value,” comments Roger Holm, President, Wärtsilä Marine.

Holm continues: “Legislation is critical to accelerating investment in alternative fuels, but it is no silver bullet. Decarbonisation is a team effort. The maritime ecosystem is full of remarkable ingenuity and world-class technical excellence that we can use to drive decarbonisation and digitalisation hand in hand. We already have the tools in the toolbox to build a cleaner, smarter future for global shipping.”

 

Photo credit: Wärtsilä
Published: 5 December, 2025

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LNG Bunkering

PIL’s LNG dual-fuel boxship “Kota Elok” arrives in Singapore on maiden call

As the first of 13 new 13,000 TEU vessels joining its fleet, Kota Elok is equipped to operate on LNG and low-sulphur fuel oil that helps reduce our greenhouse gas emissions.

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July 21, 2026

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PIL's LNG dual-fuel boxship “Kota Elok” arrives in Singapore on maiden call

Singapore-based Pacific International Lines Pte Ltd on Monday (20 July) said its first 13,000 TEU LNG dual-fuel container vessel, Kota Elok, recently made her maiden call to Singapore on 15 July.

As the first of 13 new 13,000 TEU vessels joining its fleet, Kota Elok is equipped to operate on liquefied natural gas (LNG) and low-sulphur fuel oil that helps reduce our greenhouse gas emissions. 

The vessel also incorporated energy-saving features and digital technologies to reduce fuel consumption and enhance operational performance, as well as a bow windshield to improve aerodynamics, contributing to improved fuel efficiency and lower emissions over the course of long-haul voyages.

“Following Singapore, Kota Elok will continue her voyage on our East Coast Service 1 (ES1) route to South America, calling at ports in Brazil, Uruguay, and Argentina before returning to Asia,” the company said in a social media post. 

Kota Elok also became PIL’s first vessel to receive Lloyd’s Register certification for compliance with the IACS UR E26 and UR E27 cyber security requirements.

Developed by the International Association of Classification Societies (IACS), UR E26 and UR E27 are mandatory cyber resilience requirements for newbuild vessels contracted from 1 July 2024. 

 

Photo credit: Pacific International Lines
Published: 21 July, 2026

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LNG Bunkering

CIMC SOE secures order for 12,000-cbm LNG bunkering vessel from Sinopec Clean Energy

Once operational, the vessel is expected to strengthen Sinopec’s domestic coastal LNG bunkering network and help address gaps in China’s alternative fuel bunkering infrastructure.
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July 21, 2026

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CIMC SOE secures order for 12,000-cbm LNG bunkering vessel from Sinopec Clean Energy

China’s Nantong CIMC Sinopacific Offshore & Engineering Co., Ltd. (CIMC SOE) recently signed a contract with Sinopec (Beijing) Clean Energy Co., Ltd. to build a 12,000-cubic metre (m3) LNG bunkering vessel, according to Chinese maritime media.

The vessel is scheduled for delivery in 2028 and will support Sinopec’s efforts to expand its presence in the marine clean energy sector.

Once operational, the vessel is expected to strengthen Sinopec’s domestic coastal LNG bunkering network and help address gaps in China’s LNG bunkering infrastructure.

With this signing , CIMC Pacific Offshore Engineering’s LNG bunkering vessel orderbook is further strengthened, maintaining its leading position in the global market for small and medium-sized LNG bunkering vessels.

The contract also marked another milestone for CIMC SOE, which has seen a sharp increase in orders and business performance this year amid a surge in domestic LNG vessel demand.

 

Photo credit: Nantong CIMC Sinopacific Offshore & Engineering
Published: 21 July, 2026

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Nuclear

ABS awards AiP to Korean institute for SMR-powered container ship concept design

KRISO says AiP recognises the technical feasibility and safety of its concept design, marking an important milestone toward the development of next-generation nuclear-powered commercial ships.
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July 21, 2026

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ABS awards AiP to Korean institute for SMR-powered container ship concept design

Korea Research Institute of Ships & Ocean Engineering (KRISO) on Thursday (16 July) received Approval in Principle (AiP) from the American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) for its concept design of a 15,000 TEU Small Modular Reactor (SMR)-powered container ship utilising Molten Salt Reactor (MSR) technology.

KRISO said the AiP recognises the technical feasibility and safety of its concept design, marking an important milestone toward the development of next-generation nuclear-powered commercial ships.

“This achievement demonstrates international recognition of KRISO’s technological capabilities in the rapidly evolving field of nuclear-powered shipping, supporting the transition toward low-carbon maritime transport,” it said. 

Building on this milestone, KRISO will continue advancing basic and detailed ship design, paving the way for future demonstration and commercialisation of SMR-powered vessels. 

Through continued R&D and international collaboration, KRISO remains committed to strengthening next-generation maritime technologies and contributing to the safe deployment of nuclear propulsion in the maritime industry.

 

Photo credit: Korea Research Institute of Ships & Ocean Engineering
Published: 21 July, 2026

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