Retrofit Solutions
The maritime industry faces a pivotal challenge – decarbonising the global fleet for a greener, more sustainable future. For the prepared, the investment in retrofitting now can be an opportunity to realise savings tomorrow. By exploring innovative solutions, such as those offered in our Retrofit Research Programme, ship owners can stay ahead of regulatory compliance and cost-effectively optimise their fleet's performance.
Shipping remains under continuous pressure to meet greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction targets, decarbonise fleets, and operate more efficiently. Meeting these challenges means considering a raft of potential fleet and fuel options. Without improvements, many vessels will not comply with new regulations like FuelEU, while decarbonisation pathways can be uncertain and require significant capital investment. The industry faces a complex choice between retrofitting, buying new vessels, and the challenge of securing green fuel supplies.
LR helps ship owners and managers find ship retrofits that make environmental and economic sense. Retrofitting ships helps you to operate compliantly and economically, whether that’s installing more efficient propellers, wind-assisted propulsion systems (WAPS), hull enhancements to improve efficiency, carbon capture technology to collect and sequester emissions, or new ship engines designed to use low carbon fuels.
Retrofit services
- Options analysis
- Feasibility and Risk Assessment
- Execution
- Operation
Choose the right strategic approach for your retrofit
Emissions and energy usage analysis
Understand your greenhouse gas emissions, and how to reduce them to comply with incoming regulations, and how ship retrofits can help. LR’s emissions portfolio helps you get to grips with your emissions liabilities and manage your emissions risks.
Future-proof your fleet
Comply with tightening regulations through proactive planning and watertight asset management. The right ship retrofit will future-proof your ship or fleet from incoming regulations. Plan your ship retrofits to meet incoming regulations, like those set by the EU, IMO, or SBTi targets, using LR’s Life Cycle Assessment capabilities.
Maximise returns, minimise costs
Understand when the time is right for your ship retrofit. The right ship retrofit can reduce your fuel usage and help you stay compliant with incoming regulations like FuelEU. LR’s clear analysis helps you to plan the best time to schedule your ship retrofit to avoid unnecessary costs and penalties, weighing factors like budget constraints, capital expenditure requirements, and dry dock availability.
Whether to scrap, sell or commission
Better understand the whole-life costs of your ship, and whether scrapping could be more cost-effective than retrofitting. LR’s techno-economic modelling approach could show that scrapping and rebuilding could be more cost-effective.
Risk management for a smooth retrofit
Feasibility
Each ship has unique issues to navigate, and this will affect the final retrofit chosen. LR’s third-party validation of each individual option will help you to confirm choices, improve asset management and secure better finance terms.
Risk assessment
Detailed planning and risk management ensures efficient execution of your retrofit to minimise time in dry dock and maximise operations. LR’s expert technology advice makes sure all due diligence is conducted using the best scanning and monitoring tools to keep your ship retrofit on track.
Enhancing onboard safety
Avoid unintended consequences throughout your retrofit – safety at sea is paramount. LR provides impartial, practical advice to ensure your crew understand the changes and retrofits that enhance performance and reduce errors at sea.
Meticulous retrofit planning for effective execution
Final detailed designs
For successful risk management, ship retrofits are based on careful and detailed planning. LR works closely with your team to make sure the smallest details are considered before your ship enters dry dock.
Shipyard pre-arrival
To ensure your ship's retrofit begins promptly, LR conducts all necessary due diligence, working closely with the shipyard to prepare the site prior to your ship's arrival. LR audits the site in detail and prepares the necessary preparatory works for your ship, training staff on the ground to ensure that your ship's retrofit begins without delay.
Project and risk management
Expert project management ensures your ship retrofit is completed on time, to plan, and to the highest standards. LR’s skilled project managers work closely with your team and the shipyard to minimise time in dry dock, maintain the highest standards and liaise with flag states when needed.
Commissioning and sea trials
Independent analysis and sea trials to confirm your ship retrofit achieves the intended benefits planned. LR’s post-installation and verification processes confirm that your ship retrofit delivers the planned return on investment and manages the necessary certificates before operations begin.
Secure the intended benefits of your retrofit
Monitoring performance
Optimise your ongoing operations using LR’s advanced digital solutions. Build on the improvements from your ship retrofit by further optimising your performance using digital solutions like LR Emissions Verifier and LR OneOcean Risk Manager.
A valuable investment
Understand the long-term benefits of your ship retrofit. LR continually monitors your ship to ensure that your ship's retrofit performs as expected in operation.
Ongoing service support
LR minimises off-hire time with rapid response times and flexible service. LR’s Global Technical Client Care team gives consistent technical expertise wherever needed. LR’s fleet support includes advanced remote surveys supported by Digital Survey Centres.
Why LR?
A changing world demands a new approach to energy. We've led two maritime transitions - from sail to steam and from steam to diesel – over the course of more than 260 years, with expertise and foresight to meet challenge after challenge. This is why LR is ideally placed to tackle energy transition, guiding the industry to resolve sustainable business ambitions.
Action towards a net zero world continues to build. We're helping clients to act now, giving them confidence that their decisions will help their business succeed throughout their decarbonisation journey. Adapt and thrive in the energy transition with LR.
Retrofit video case studies
- Flettner Rotor
- Suction sail
11:03
LR and Anemoi collaboration and experience in emissions reduction through Wind-Assisted Propulsion
LR and Anemoi collaboration and experience in emissions reduction through Wind-Assisted Propulsion
This video documents the innovative collaboration between Lloyd’s Register and Anemoi in achieving success in operational excellence and emissions reduction for shipping clients through Wind-Assisted Propulsion Solutions with rotor sails.
- Rob Tustin - North Asia new construction manager, Lloyd's Register
- Stephanie Ryder - Engineering design manager, Anemoi Marine Technologies
4:26
Suction sail wind-assisted propulsion solutions for ships in association with Bound4Blue
Video showcasing suction sail wind-assisted propulsion solutions and projects for ships in collaboration with Bound4Blue.
Filmed at SMM Hamburg 2024
Featuring
- Santiago Suarez de la Fuente - Wind Propulsion Specialist, Lloyd's Register
- David Ferrer - CTO and Co-founder, Bound4Blue
- Jose Miguel Bermudez - CEO and Co-founder, Bound4Blue
Webinar: The benefits of retrofitting your fleet
Listen to our experts discuss how retrofitting can enhance your fleet’s efficiency and compliance, drawing insights from recent case studies.
Retrofit Q&A
What is a ship retrofit?
A ship retrofit modifies the ship in some way. In relation to energy efficiency and tightening regulations, a retrofit will typically mean the ship is fitted with Energy Saving Devices (ESDs) which could include wind-assisted propulsion systems (WAPS), improved propellers or hull modifications, installing Onshore Power Supplies (OPS) to stop using fuel in port, or to fit a new engine which can use low or zero carbon fuel.
Carbon Capture technology, which removes CO₂ emissions during voyages, is another example of a retrofit, but it is not recognised under all regulations – it is excluded under FuelEU for example.
What is the advantage of retrofit?
Retrofits like ESDs will allow a ship to operate more efficiently, and may mean that ship avoids penalties associated with tightening regulations. New engines could allow a ship to operate using low or zero carbon fuel, which would mean it could comply with new and tightening regulations long into the future.
How long does it take to retrofit a ship?
It would depend on the size and type of ship, and the type of retrofit. Some retrofits can be completed relatively quickly, and could even be completed during routine inspections.
How much does retrofitting cost?
The cost of a ship retrofit will relate to the type of retrofit, the size and type of ship.
What is the process?
At LR, there are four distinct phases. You can follow this process end-to-end or use the specific services you need:
- Options analysis: choosing the right strategic approach
- Feasibility and risk assessment: risk management for a smooth retrofit
- Execution: Meticulous retrofit planning for effective execution
- Operation: Getting the most from your retrofit and evidence-based validation for pre and post retrofit operations
Will retrofits reduce penalties associated with new regulations like FuelEU or MEPC83?
Yes, retrofits can reduce the penalties associated with new regulations. Under these regulations, ships are expected to decrease the use of fossil fuels. Using retrofits, ships will operate more efficiently or use low or zero carbon fuels. In either case, this will reduce the overall use of fossil fuels.
Contact us to develop a strategy that suits your organisation.
What are the advantages of using an Onshore Power Supply (OPS)?
Onshore Power Supply (OPS) means ships use power from the onshore grid rather than the ship engines. This is an approach actively promoted by the FuelEU regulation, so an advantage for those using European waters. In addition, using OPS will mean an overall reduction in fuel usage.
How do you validate the performance of retrofits?
The ship will undergo extensive sea tests to optimise the retrofit and make sure it performs at its peak by comparing vessel performance data before and after the retrofit using direct measurements and data analysis with statistical methods.
Is one type of ship better suited for fuel changes rather than ESDs?
There is no simple answer to this because the regulations that penalise the use of fossil fuels tighten gradually. The useful life of the ship, the availability of new fuels, and the possible penalties your ship could accrue without intervention will all feed into your retrofit decision.
Are there any ESD's that are so obvious and energy-saving, that they do not require a lot of analysis?
Some ESDs are better understood than others, but the key consideration is how the ESDs will work with your specific ship or fleet. LR can help you plan the retrofits which will have the biggest practical impact for your ship or your fleet.
What will be more attractive: DF newbuilds or retrofits?
Both newbuilds and retrofits can be credible ways to reduce fossil fuel usage and comply with tightening regulations. Several factors including the availability of fuel, the type of ship, the type of retrofit, the routes typically sailed, and the age of your ship will all feed into decisions. Contact us to do a holistic evaluation of your fleet and help you take informed decisions.