Sky-high bunker prices triggered by war in the Middle East are set to accelerate ship efficiency retrofits and sustainability measures, reports the UK’s Seatrade Maritime News.
Attacks by the US and Israel on Iran have caused widescale damage to hydrocarbon infrastructure, disrupting fuel supply chains. Oil and LNG facilities across Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Kuwait, Iran, Iraq and Bahrain have been hit, with analysts estimating about 17 per cent of Qatar’s LNG export capacity is offline for up to five years.
The surge in bunker costs shortens payback periods for energy-saving devices, making retrofits more attractive. Analysts warn that hydrocarbon prices will remain permanently higher than earlier this year, indirectly boosting adoption of alternative fuels despite opposition to the IMO’s Net Zero Framework.
Lloyd’s Register’s 2026 Engine Retrofit Report, published before the conflict, highlighted expanding retrofit capabilities but noted regulatory uncertainty. The classification society warned that conventionally fuelled ships will face mounting pressure to convert as sustainability strategies tighten.
Shipowners are already trialling wind-assisted propulsion. Vale’s ore carriers have installed Anemoi and Norsepower sails, while Odfjell’s tanker Bow Olympus fitted with bound4blue e-sails achieved fuel savings of 15 to 20 per cent. Other retrofit options include hull and propeller modifications, air lubrication, coatings, derated engines, weather routeing and advanced digital systems.
With major shippers enforcing ESG strategies that include Scope 3 emissions, owners and operators face urgent decisions. Industry observers say President Trump’s actions have inadvertently supercharged shipping’s sustainability drive, making efficiency retrofits a top priority.
