76% Fuel Spike Forces Shipowners to Scrutinise Engine Efficiency
VLSFO prices hit $881/mt as ageing fleet faces stricter emissions rules and longer voyages around conflict zones.
Shipowners are being forced to scrutinise engine efficiency as bunker prices soar by 76% since the US war on Iran, while stricter emissions regulations tighten the noose on operational costs. With very low sulphur fuel oil (VLSFO) trading at $881 per metric ton and an ageing global fleet averaging 13 years, the pressure to optimise performance has never been more acute.
The US conflict with Iran has disrupted traditional shipping routes, forcing vessels to take longer detours around conflict zones.
David Fuhlbrügge, joint managing director of engine monitoring specialist CM Technologies (CMT), warns that shipowners have limited control over fuel and carbon prices but can still investigate whether their vessels are running as efficiently as possible. “Small problems result in significant increases in specific fuel oil consumption and spikes in carbon emissions,” he said. “But if crews have reliable cylinder pressure and combustion data, they can make the necessary adjustments to reduce emissions and energy losses.”
Marine Gasoil
The commercial squeeze is compounded by regulatory demands. Methane and nitrous oxide were added to the system in 2026, expanding the scope of emissions subject to financial penalties. Under this scheme, ships must meet progressively stricter greenhouse gas intensity limits, with compliance verified annually.
How Engine Monitoring Can Cut Costs and Emissions: Engine Efficiency
CMT’s flagship product, the PREMET®X diesel performance analyser, measures cylinder pressure during engine operation, allowing engineers to examine combustion processes and identify anomalies. The portable device uses a Kistler PiezoSMART pressure sensor to analyse and export data, while the PREMET Fleet Manager tool compares performance across entire fleets. All information is uploaded to the browser-based PREMET Cloud, enabling comparisons between sister engines and long-term trending of engine performance.
Fuhlbrügge emphasises the importance of trending measurements over time. “A single engine reading provides only part of the picture,” he said. “Before considering what can be changed around the ship, it makes sense to know whether the machinery already installed is giving the performance expected from it.”
The PREMET X can also be equipped with an acoustic emission sensor to monitor the fuel-injection process. This non-penetrative sensor detects signals from fuel passing through the injector nozzle, injector needle movement, and the opening and closing of the fuel pump spill. Engineers can then examine injection timing and identify issues such as late combustion or leaking injectors without penetrating the engine’s high-pressure fuel lines.
For shipowners, the financial implications of engine inefficiency are stark. When multiplied across a fleet, these inefficiencies can erode profitability, particularly for operators of older ships. With VLSFO prices hovering around $881 per metric ton, even minor improvements in fuel consumption can yield significant savings. For example, a medium-sized container ship consuming 100 metric tons of fuel per day could save approximately $32,000 annually by reducing fuel consumption by just 1%.
Adoption Grows as Operators Seek Efficiency Gains
More than 200 companies are now using the latest generation of PREMET X, with each shipping company deploying between 1 and 50 devices. Including older models, the number of PREMET devices in use is significantly higher, reflecting the industry’s growing reliance on data-driven engine optimisation.
The adoption of such technologies is not merely a response to rising fuel costs but also a strategic move to comply with increasingly stringent emissions regulations. As the EU ETS and FuelEU Maritime impose financial penalties for excessive emissions, shipowners are turning to engine monitoring systems to ensure their vessels remain within regulatory limits while avoiding costly fines.
The shift towards performance monitoring comes as ships are forced to take longer routes to avoid conflict zones, further increasing fuel consumption. The Red Sea crisis, for instance, has pushed vessels to reroute around the Cape of Good Hope, adding thousands of nautical miles to voyages between Asia and Europe.
These detours not only increase fuel consumption but also extend transit times, disrupting supply chains and increasing operational costs. In this environment, the ability to monitor and optimise engine performance in real time is no longer a luxury but a necessity for maintaining competitiveness.
For crews, the benefits of engine monitoring systems extend beyond cost savings. By providing real-time data on engine health, these systems enable proactive maintenance, reducing the risk of unexpected breakdowns and improving safety at sea. The PREMET Cloud platform, for example, allows engineers to compare data from multiple vessels, identifying patterns that may indicate systemic issues across a fleet. This level of insight is particularly valuable for operators managing older vessels, where mechanical wear can lead to inconsistent performance.
“Shipowners cannot control the carbon price, and they have limited control over the price of bunker fuel,” Fuhlbrügge said. “But they can investigate whether their ageing ships and engines are running as efficiently as they can.”
The stakes are high. For operators of older vessels, inefficient engines could mean the difference between profitability and financial strain. As emissions regulations tighten and fuel prices remain volatile, the ability to monitor and adjust engine performance in real time may become a critical competitive advantage. With the IMO’s Carbon Intensity Indicator now in force and the EU ETS expanding its scope, shipowners who fail to adopt engine monitoring technologies risk falling behind competitors who leverage data to optimise efficiency and reduce costs.
Looking ahead, the maritime industry’s transition to decarbonisation will only accelerate. Achieving these goals will require a combination of alternative fuels, operational efficiencies, and technological innovations. Engine monitoring systems like PREMET X are likely to play a central role in this transition, providing the data needed to optimise performance and reduce emissions across the global fleet.
For shipowners, the message is clear: in an era of rising costs and regulatory pressure, engine efficiency is no longer optional. Those who invest in monitoring technologies today will be better positioned to navigate the challenges of tomorrow, ensuring their vessels remain competitive in an increasingly demanding operating environment.
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