The 76% increase in marine fuel prices (Bunker) since the start of the U.S. war with Iran has prompted ship managers and crews to conduct a closer examination of their engines. With rising fuel costs and the aging fleet, experts believe that collecting accurate data on engine performance is essential to reduce costs.
Impact of New Regulations on Engine Performance
Given the rising cost of VLSFO, which is currently trading at around $881 per ton, along with new regulations introduced to control carbon emissions, regular monitoring of ship engine performance is of special importance. Starting in 2026, ships will be required to report their operational carbon intensity, which puts additional pressure on older fleets and those operating in conflict-affected areas.
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New Technologies for Monitoring Engine Performance
CM Technologies (CMT) helps ships measure cylinder pressure during engine operation by providing new technologies, including the PREMET®X diesel performance analyzer. This technology allows engineers to examine the combustion process and identify any anomalies. This portable device analyzes and outputs engine pressure data using Kistler PiezoSMART pressure sensors.
Additionally, the PREMET Fleet Manager tool can compare engine performance across different fleets. The collected information is uploaded online to PREMET Cloud to allow data from similar engines to be comparable and analyzed. This capability enables engineers to detect small changes in engine performance, thereby reducing carbon emissions and energy waste.
Considering that ships are currently part of the EU emissions trading system and that methane and nitrogen oxides will also be added to this system starting in 2026, monitoring engine performance has become one of the main priorities for reducing carbon-related penalties.
CMT has equipped over 200 companies with the new generation of PREMET X, with each shipping company having between 1 to 50 units. When considering older models, this number increases significantly. These developments in the shipping industry indicate that optimal resource management and precise monitoring of engine performance have become essential requirements for reducing costs and complying with regulations.
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