At a recent ceremony held in China, MAN Energy Solutions and COSCO Shipping Heavy Industry Co., Ltd. (CHI) officially signed a framework agreement that will lay the foundation for deeper collaboration on decarbonisation retrofit projects for the maritime industry. The agreement signifies a strategic move by both companies to accelerate the transition to greener shipping by retrofitting existing vessels with advanced, sustainable technologies.

Representing MAN Energy Solutions, Michael Petersen – Senior Vice President and Head of PrimeServ Denmark – signed the agreement, while Guo Zhiqiang – Deputy General Manager of CHI's Commercial Headquarters – signed on behalf of CHI. During the ceremony, Guo Zhiqiang expressed enthusiasm about the collaboration, highlighting that the two companies have previously worked with mutual clients in their respective sectors. Now, by combining their strengths, they are forging a closer partnership aimed at addressing one of the maritime industry’s most pressing challenges – decarbonisation. He noted that this integrated approach would provide one-stop solutions to customers and inject new energy into the ongoing global transition toward cleaner shipping practices.

Michael Petersen echoed these sentiments, emphasizing the importance of the agreement in enabling MAN Energy Solutions to join forces with one of the largest ship-repair yard groups in the world. He stated that the partnership will allow both companies to cooperate on a wide range of future projects designed to help decarbonise the existing global commercial fleet. Petersen pointed out that approximately 4,500 vessels worldwide present viable opportunities for retrofitting, which could significantly reduce emissions by converting traditional bunker fuel systems to cleaner, alternative fuel solutions.

The newly signed framework agreement focuses on retrofitting ships to operate on alternative fuels such as methanol, methane, and ammonia – all of which can be sustainably produced using power-to-X technologies. These fuels represent a promising path toward reducing the carbon footprint of maritime operations. MAN Energy Solutions will contribute its cutting-edge engine retrofit technologies and digital energy-efficiency systems, while CHI will provide its extensive Engineering, Procurement, and Construction (EPC) experience, which includes large-scale ship modification capabilities.

With five ship-repair yards, CHI has the capacity to modify and repair around 1,500 vessels annually, making it a strong partner in executing widespread retrofitting projects. By integrating MAN PrimeServ’s advanced dual-fuel engine solutions with CHI’s proven shipyard infrastructure, the partnership aims to offer comprehensive solutions to shipping companies looking to meet increasingly stringent environmental regulations.

This agreement is seen as a natural extension of the already strong relationship between the two companies. They are currently collaborating on two major projects for world-leading container-ship operators, demonstrating the trust and shared vision that underpin their partnership. Through this joint effort, both MAN Energy Solutions and CHI are taking meaningful steps toward a more sustainable future for the global maritime industry.