Wärtsilä Corporation - Experts & Thought Leaders

Technology group Wärtsilä will supply the main engines for two new pusher tugs being built for Brazilian operator AMAGGI. The ships are under construction at the Beconal shipyard, located in Manaus, Brazil, and are designed with a focus on decarbonised operations. The engines will run on biodiesel, a capability that was a key factor in securing this contract. The order with Wärtsilä was booked in Q4 2025. Fuel flexibility of the Wärtsilä engines "The fuel flexibility of the Wärtsilä engines will enable these two new pusher vessels to operate using environmentally sustainable biofuels,” says Claudinei Zenatti, Logistics and Operations Director, AMAGGI. “By using biodiesel, these engines are expected to lower total greenhouse gas emissions, supporting both our company’s environmental commitments and the broader goal of delivering more sustainable river transport.” Amazon inland waterway system The ships will each operate with two Wärtsilä 20 engines, equipped with a Wärtsilä Data Collection Unit (WDCU). The engines are able to run on either diesel or biodiesel fuel with a total power output of 2,100kW. This will allow each ship to push as many as 20 barges, carrying a total of 32,000 tons of grain on the Amazon inland waterway system. The Wärtsilä equipment is scheduled for delivery to the yard commencing in August 2026. Wärtsilä Data Collection Unit “AMAGGI is the first pusher tug operator to run entirely on biodiesel - a step aligned with our shared commitment to decarbonised shipping. The Wärtsilä Data Collection Unit (WDCU) will enable accurate monitoring of the engines, which promotes performance reliability and the benefit of extended overhaul intervals,” explains Genil Mazza, Newbuilding Sales Manager, LatAm – Wärtsilä Marine. AMAGGI operates a river fleet comprising 212 barges and pusher vessels. Wärtsilä and AMAGGI share a longstanding partnership, having collaborated for more than 30 years to advance sustainable and efficient river transport solutions in Brazil.

Technology group - Wärtsilä strengthens its supply chain through a strategic partnership with Siempelkamp Giesserei, a key supplier of large cast components for Wärtsilä engines.  The partnership ensures that Wärtsilä has reliable access to high-quality large cast components in a growing market, mitigating supply chain constraints and supporting the company’s continued growth. As a result, Wärtsilä can support the growing demand for sustainable technologies in the marine and energy sectors.  New fuels and lower emissions Wärtsilä and Siempelkamp Giesserei will jointly optimise the supply flow of large cast components, such as engine blocks. This collaboration allows Wärtsilä to grow its production volumes to support the strong market demand, based on a stable and reliable supply of key components.  The large cast components play an integral part in enabling increased engine efficiency, greater adaptability to new fuels and lower emissions throughout the product lifecycle.  Wärtsilä’s commitment The strategic partnership with Siempelkamp Giesserei reflects Wärtsilä’s commitment to working with suppliers that deliver reliability and uncompromising quality, utilise future-oriented production methods, and actively advance joint development and greenhouse gas reduction. Through such collaborations, Wärtsilä continues to respond to the evolving needs of its customers.  “Siempelkamp Giesserei is one of the world’s pioneers in hand-mold casting of large, complex components. The company has been a reliable partner to Wärtsilä for nearly four decades, consistently delivering on promises with punctuality and flexibility. Their zero-carbon castings contribute directly to our Set for 30 decarbonisation targets, helping us reduce direct suppliers’ greenhouse gas emissions and ultimately serve our customers even better,” says Jan Kåre Helgeland, Director, Supply Management at Wärtsilä.  Advanced energy management systems Siempelkamp Giesserei’s automated, digitalised foundry uses renewable power and advanced energy management systems, supporting Wärtsilä’s aim to reduce its suppliers’ emissions. Siempelkamp Giesserei’s efficient, low-carbon value chain allows Wärtsilä to launch new engine designs faster and reduce material waste.  “We supply products that advance our commitment to supporting the green transition. Our investments in green energy and zero-carbon casting technologies reflect our shared vision for a cleaner, more sustainable industry,” comments Dirk Howe, Managing Director of Siempelkamp Giesserei.

As the maritime industry prepares to enter 2026, technology group Wärtsilä has 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 pioneers 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.”

The offshore energy sector has always been cyclical, but today’s volatility feels different. Inflation, rising capital costs, and shifting forecasts are reshaping both offshore wind and oil and gas, prompting a rethink of how vessel owners, designers, and operators prepare for the decade ahead. While costs have soared, investment has not collapsed. Instead, a new kind of resilience is emerging, built on design flexibility, hybridisation, and system integration. For projects commissioned only a few years ago, offshore wind costs have risen by almost 80% against original estimates. Meanwhile, forecasts for global installed offshore wind capacity in 2035 have been revised down by around 12% in just two years. The sharpest corrections are in newer entrant regions such as the United States, with established markets also revising expectations in line with changing conditions. Offshore energy These shifts have disrupted assumptions around utilisation, day rates, and financing. Yet despite the squeeze, capital expenditure across offshore energy remains robust. Oil and gas operators continue to invest in Brazil, the Middle East, and West Africa, while renewable developers are recalibrating rather than retreating as investment decisions are being confirmed. For vessel owners, this divergence creates opportunity. Future projects will demand ships that can bridge markets, switching between wind and oil and gas or between subsea construction and commissioning. In this environment, resilience is not a slogan, it is a design principle. Capital expenditure across offshore energy remains robust. CSOVs and subsea construction vessels Recent years have seen a surge in CSOV newbuilds, initially intended for wind operations Today’s offshore fleet spans a wide range of vessel types, from CSOVs and subsea construction vessels to AHTSs, PSVs, and WTIVs. Each faces distinct pressures, but all share a single challenge: staying relevant across cycles that are shorter and more unpredictable. Recent years have seen a surge in CSOV newbuilds, initially intended for wind operations. As wind growth slows, many of these vessels are finding employment in oil and gas, where their walk-to-work and accommodation capabilities remain valuable. This crossover underlines a growing recognition that the most valuable asset is not the most specialised, but the most adaptable. Enabling practical resilience The regulatory tide is rising alongside the commercial one. The International Maritime Organization’s net-zero ambition for 2050 and the European Union’s extension of ETS and FuelEU Maritime rules now encompass most offshore vessels above 5,000 GT. Compliance, once a back-office consideration, is now a boardroom priority. Designing for regulatory flexibility is therefore critical. Fuel choice alone is not enough. True resilience combines alternative fuels – methanol, ethanol, or biofuels – with hybrid power and energy management technologies that can evolve over time. FuelEU Maritime rules encompass most offshore vessels above 5,000 GT. Role to play in turning resilience Owners who view compliance as an option rather than a burden are gaining a competitive edge Owners who view compliance as an opportunity rather than a burden are gaining a competitive edge. Charterers increasingly prefer vessels that not only meet today’s standards but are ready for tomorrow’s. The same expectation is now shaping financing decisions, as lenders and investors are less willing to back projects that may struggle to comply with future emissions or fuel regulations. In a market where financing is tight and scrutiny is high, proven sustainability credentials can be the difference between winning a long-term charter or sitting idle alongside.  As these market and regulatory pressures intensify, equipment suppliers have a critical role to play in turning resilience from concept into practice. Wärtsilä’s approach centres on modularity, fuel flexibility, and data-led efficiency. Areas that directly address the challenges facing offshore operators. Advanced power management systems Engines such as the Wärtsilä 20 and 25 series are already being delivered with alternative fuel ready notations, offering shipowners a straightforward route to alternative fuels without compromising performance or reliability. The hybrid propulsion and energy storage systems have been developed to work across both oil and gas and wind support vessels, providing a bridge between the two markets and improving redundancy at the same time.  Continuous data collection and predictive maintenance are now fundamental tools for improving reliability and optimising performance across offshore fleets. Equally important is digital integration. Wärtsilä’s lifecycle services, based on continuous data collection and predictive maintenance, extend overhaul intervals and reduce emissions. When paired with advanced power management systems such as DC grids, variable-speed operation, and hybrid control technologies, these approaches can deliver measurable gains in both energy efficiency and uptime. Engines like Wärtsilä 20 and 25 series are delivered with alternative fuel-ready notations. This approach does not remove the uncertainty inherent in offshore markets, but it reduces its impact. By offering designs and systems that anticipate regulatory and operational change, Wärtsilä aims to give owners greater confidence in the long-term viability of their assets. The principle is simple: build flexibility in from the start, rather than trying to retrofit it later. Integration: the next frontier Perhaps the most significant development in offshore vessel design is the move towards system-level integration. Engines, thrusters, batteries, and digital tools can no longer be specified in isolation. A systems approach delivers a vessel that performs to the specifications set out in the design phase, by reducing obsolescence risk and making retrofitting easier as new technologies mature. Modular architectures enhance this advantage. By designing vessels with flexible engine rooms, scalable electrical systems, and open digital interfaces, owners can future-proof assets against fuel transitions and regulatory shifts.  The offshore energy market is unlikely to find stability soon. Demand will continue to fluctuate between regions and sectors, and the pressure to decarbonise will intensify. Yet the pathway to resilience is clear. Vessels that combine efficiency, flexibility, and integration will be best placed to weather volatility and capture opportunity across both wind and oil and gas. The winners will be those who treat change not as disruption, but as design input.

As the maritime industry works to decarbonise, electrification is proving to be one of the most practical and immediate solutions. Wärtsilä’s Torsten Büssow explains how batteries, hybrid propulsion, and alternative fuels together are shaping the fleet of the future. Shipping is entering a decisive phase in its energy transition. Electrification, once confined to pilot projects and short-sea ferries, is now becoming a cornerstone of decarbonisation strategies across the maritime industry. As regulation tightens and the pressure to reduce emissions intensifies, hybrid and fully electric propulsion systems are emerging as practical and powerful tools for cutting fuel use, lowering costs, and improving vessel performance. For many operators, the question is no longer whether to electrify, but how far to go. Types of electric propulsion Broadly speaking, there are two types of electric propulsion in use today: hybrid and fully electric Broadly speaking, there are two types of electric propulsion in use today: hybrid and fully electric. Hybrid systems combine an energy storage system, typically a marine battery, with a conventional engine, reducing fuel consumption and emissions by up to 25% compared with a diesel-only vessel. Fully electric vessels, by contrast, rely entirely on battery power. They are ideal for shorter routes or coastal operations where charging infrastructure is available. Because batteries are heavy, range remains a limiting factor, which is why hybrids continue to dominate longer voyages. In both cases, the benefits extend beyond emissions. Battery-assisted propulsion reduces engine load fluctuations, cuts wear and tear, and allows machinery to operate at optimal efficiency. Maintenance costs fall, reliability improves, and vessels run more quietly and smoothly. The outcome is a leaner, more efficient ship with lower lifetime costs. Pace of adoption The pace of adoption is accelerating. Between 2019 and 2024, the number of hybrid and fully electric ships contracted globally rose by around 200%. This growth reflects a wider understanding that the industry cannot afford to wait for a single dominant future fuel before acting on decarbonisation. Policy is also driving progress. The European Union’s FuelEU Maritime regulation will require ports to provide shore power to a minimum of 90% of container, passenger, and cruise vessels by 2030. Ships spending more than two hours alongside will be required to connect, which creates strong incentives for owners to invest in battery systems and hybrid propulsion. Economics reinforce the same conclusion. As green fuels reach commercial scale, they will carry a higher cost than conventional fuels. Technologies that improve energy efficiency, such as hybrid systems and electric propulsion, will therefore be critical to keeping operations profitable while meeting decarbonisation goals. Integrating systems Integrated installations are well suited to ferries, tugs, and offshore-support vessels Battery technology for ships is developing in several directions, with both integrated and containerised systems now common across the industry. Integrated installations are well suited to ferries, tugs, and offshore-support vessels, while containerised, swappable modules are proving valuable for inland and short-sea operations where space and flexibility matter most. Each battery string can be controlled separately, allowing power systems to scale with the vessel’s needs. Safety remains a central focus, and the latest designs now include early fire detection, isolation, and suppression as standard. Together, these measures have made marine batteries far more reliable and compliant with demanding maritime regulations. Proven hardware and advanced energy management Much of this progress comes from integration rather than cell production itself. Wärtsilä works closely with global battery suppliers to combine proven hardware with advanced energy management, testing, and lifecycle expertise. The result is a new generation of propulsion systems that are safer, smarter, and better suited to the realities of modern shipping. Infrastructure challenges Infrastructure remains a challenge, particularly the availability of charging capacity at ports Infrastructure remains a challenge, particularly the availability of charging capacity at ports. Many vessels will require fast DC charging, standardised connections, and in some cases onshore energy storage to avoid grid constraints. Innovative concepts such as swappable battery containers, already in use on some European waterways, demonstrate how smart design can extend range and reduce downtime even where grid strength is limited. Looking ahead, the most effective pathway will combine battery technology with engines capable of running on alternative fuels such as methanol, ethanol, or ammonia. As these fuels become more available, and more expensive, batteries will be essential in improving efficiency and reducing overall consumption. Hybrid energy model Electrification is no longer a niche solution. This hybrid energy model will allow shipowners to balance cost, sustainability, and operational flexibility. It represents the next stage of sustainable ship design, where energy storage, clean fuels, and smart power management combine to create cleaner, quieter, and more efficient vessels.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is having a profound and multifaceted impact throughout the business world, driving a transformation across all sectors by significantly increasing efficiency, enabling data-driven decision-making, and fostering innovation. Maritime is one of the many industries that are already benefiting from deploying AI. In the future, the potential is even bigger. In maritime as in many other markets, the key to success is balancing the use of AI with human labour. The current trend is to augment human work through automation of routine tasks and the creation of new business models. We asked our Expert Panel Roundtable: How can the maritime industry benefit from applying artificial intelligence (AI)? Please provide some examples.