The maritime industry is navigating a transformative era, driven by decarbonisation, digital innovation and evolving trade patterns. At Sea Asia 2025 in Singapore, Subodh Borse, Managing Director of Newbuilding & Offshore Projects at Synergy Marine Group, contributed his views during the 25 March panel discussion “Shipbuilding – A Macro View,” moderated by Yiannis Parganas, Head of Research at Intermodal Shipbrokers.
He was joined by some highly distinguished experts: Adam Kent (Maritime Strategies International), Craig Patrick (Silverstream Technologies) and Cristina Saenz de Santa Maria (DNV). Together, they explored a range of critical issues—from global order book trends and retrofitting to alternative fuels and China’s competitive positioning.
Subodh highlighted the urgent need to deploy available technologies while preparing for scalable solutions which are still in development. “Acting now with what is viable—whether energy-efficiency retrofits or fuel-flexible newbuilds—lays the groundwork for deeper decarbonisation,” he noted
Key takeaways from the session included:
Retrofitting for resilience:
While engine retrofits have high impact, they are viable for only about 10% of the fleet. Nonetheless, retrofits—ranging from WASP (Wind-Assisted Propulsion Systems) to air lubrication systems—are critical short-term enablers;
Economic drivers:
Retrofits are not just about compliance—they offer a strategic advantage under the CII and EU ETS regimes. Smart retrofitting creates value through emissions reduction and extended vessel lifecycle;
Newbuild v retrofit:
Today’s retrofit decisions are informed by trade patterns, asset age and lead time. As Subodh noted, “Not all ships can be replaced. For many, smart retrofitting is the only path forward.”
Fuel diversity and readiness:
While more than half of the current global order book is alternative fuel-capable (rising to 69% in the container segment), real-world adoption depends on infrastructure, crew training and cost factors;
Digital and operational efficiency:
AI-led optimisation and predictive analytics are already improving fuel savings and safety. However, their success hinges on robust data governance and crew empowerment;
The human factor:
As Synergy manages one of the world’s largest LNG-fuelled fleets, we continue to invest in advanced crew training—from LNG bunkering simulation to digital tools—ensuring that vessels and crew are future-ready;
Green corridors:
These strategic decarbonisation pathways help align port readiness, fuel supply and charterer confidence, offering a pragmatic route to early zero-emission operations.
At Synergy Marine Group, we believe that shipbuilding excellence lies at the intersection of innovation, compliance, and human capital. By aligning design, operations, and crew readiness, we are committed to building a safer, smarter, and more sustainable maritime future.
