Maersk has launched an ambitious retrofit program for around 200 vessels in its time-chartered fleet, working in collaboration with 50 shipowners. The initiative aims to improve fuel efficiency, increase cargo capacity, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
The program already covers more than 1,500 projects completed on vessels, with another 1,000 upgrades planned by 2027. Investment costs are shared between Maersk and the shipowners.
According to Ahmed Hassan, Head of Asset Strategy and Strategic Partnerships at Maersk, upgrades include replacing propellers and bulbous bows, as well as reconfiguring vessels originally designed for higher speeds. These retrofits allow for significant fuel savings on today’s less intensive sailing schedules.
Anda Cristescu, Head of Chartering and Shipbuilding at Maersk, explained that many container vessels were designed at a time when higher speeds were standard. With slower schedules now in place, propellers and bulbous bows optimized for speed are no longer efficient. Their replacement offers substantial performance gains.
Key technical enhancements include:
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waste heat recovery systems for auxiliary engines, reducing reliance on fuel oil boilers;
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shaft generators to ease the load on auxiliary engines;
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structural modifications to increase capacity, such as raising navigation bridges for better visibility, upgrading lashing bridges, increasing deadweight for deeper drafts, and modernizing lashing systems and cargo planning software.
This initiative supports Maersk’s target of cutting Scope 1 emissions by 35% by 2030 (compared to 2022 levels) and achieving net zero emissions by 2040.
“While transitioning to alternative fuels is essential to our long-term 2040 net zero ambition, investments in fleet efficiency are a powerful tool for delivering immediate and meaningful emissions reductions,” Hassan noted.
Maersk highlights that its partnership model is mutually beneficial: the company reduces emissions and fuel costs, while shipowners gain long-term value from modernized, more competitive vessels.
