As GLO Marine celebrates nine years of continuous evolution, the company stands as a recognised engineering partner for vessel upgrades, retrofit projects and maritime decarbonisation solutions across Europe. What began in Romania, with a small team focused on ship design, has grown into a multidisciplinary organisation supporting shipowners, fleet managers and technical teams all over Europe and not only.

Today, GLO Marine is known not only for its engineering capabilities, but for its ability to connect design, planning, and on-board execution into one streamlined, practical workflow. This hands-on approach has positioned the company as a trusted partner for the maritime retrofit market, especially for shipowners preparing their fleets for stricter environmental regulations, fuel-saving upgrades and new operational demands.

As GLO Marine celebrates nine years of continuous evolution, the company stands as a recognised engineering partner for vessel upgrades, retrofit projects and maritime decarbonisation solutions across Europe. What began in Romania, with a small team focused on ship design, has grown into a multidisciplinary organisation supporting shipowners, fleet managers and technical teams in ports such as Constanța, Tulcea, Rotterdam, Hamburg, Piraeus, Antwerp and many more.

Today, GLO Marine is known not only for its engineering capabilities, but for its ability to connect design, planning, and on-board execution into one streamlined, practical workflow. This hands-on approach has positioned the company as a trusted partner for the maritime retrofit market, especially for shipowners preparing their fleets for stricter environmental regulations, fuel-saving upgrades and new operational demands.

What GLO Marine does today: Integrated retrofit & Vessel upgrade solutions

GLO Marine specialises in delivering end-to-end retrofit solutions for commercial vessels navigating European and international waters. The company manages complex engineering and installation scopes, ensuring that upgrades are safe, efficient and fully compatible with real onboard conditions.

Its expertise covers a wide range of retrofit and upgrade activities:

• Decarbonisation and energy-efficiency retrofits
  (EEXI/CII upgrades, alternative fuels readiness, energy-saving devices)
• System integrations and vessel modernisations
• Conversions and structural or systems modifications
• Feasibility studies, technical assessments and 3D scanning
• On-site supervision, installation support and commissioning

Across these projects, GLO Marine plays a critical role in bridging the gap between drawings and reality, ensuring that what is engineered can be installed, integrated and operated smoothly by the crew.

“We started with the vision of becoming one of Europe’s leading engineering companies, and nine years later we are firmly on that path, as a trusted vessel upgrade partner. It’s a journey built on hard work and passionate people.”— Liviu Gălățanu, Managing Director

The team behind the projects: A multidisciplinary engineering force

GLO Marine’s growth has been powered by its people. From its headquarters in Romania to shipyards and ports across Europe, the company has built a team with the skills required to manage full-lifecycle retrofit projects.

Today, the organisation includes:

• Naval architects
• Structural engineers
• Electrical and systems engineers
• Mechanical and piping designers
• Project coordinators and planners
• Site engineers, supervisors and commissioning specialists

This comprehensive skillset allows GLO Marine to stay hands-on from the early design phase all the way to installation, testing and delivery at the shipyard. Engineering teams work closely with on-site personnel to quickly respond to challenges, update designs and ensure seamless integration on board.

“You can see our nine-year journey in the capability of the team we have today. We now hold all in-house skills needed to deliver demanding retrofit projects from start to finish.” — Alin Pohilcă, Operations Director

Looking ahead: Growing with the future of decarbonisation & maritime innovation

As the global maritime industry accelerates toward net-zero targets, alternative fuels and performance optimisation, shipowners across Europe face increasing pressure to upgrade their fleets. GLO Marine remains committed to this shift by:

• Strengthening engineering and on-board execution capabilities
• Investing in advanced digital tools and technical expertise
• Expanding regional presence in key maritime hubs
• Staying close to the operational realities on board vessels

With nine years of steady development, GLO Marine has shaped a clear identity: practical, technically strong, flexible, and deeply experienced in real retrofit work.

The company’s mission for the coming years is simple yet ambitious—continue evolving as a trusted European partner for complex vessel retrofits, delivering results that stand up to the challenges of modern maritime operations.

A final word of appreciation

As GLO Marine steps into its next stage of evolution, the company recognises the people and partnerships that shaped its journey. The trust received from clients and collaborators across Europe has been a driving force behind every advancement, opening the door to challenging projects that strengthened its expertise.

Equally, the dedication of the GLO Marine team, those on board vessels, in shipyards, and behind the engineering desks, has been essential to every milestone achieved. Their commitment, precision and teamwork continue to define the company’s identity. With this foundation of strong partnerships and a resilient, skilled team, GLO Marine looks ahead with confidence to the opportunities and responsibilities that the future of maritime retrofit brings.

At GLO Marine, we provide advanced structural engineering services for vessel modifications, conversions, and offshore mobilizations worldwide.

With a core engineering hub at the Black Sea, in Constanța, Romania, we support shipyards, EPC contractors, and offshore operators across Europe, the Middle East, Asia, and the Americas.

Our multidisciplinary team combines technical precision, class compliance, and practical fabrication insight to ensure that every modification delivers both structural integrity and operational efficiency.

Our structured engineering approach

1. Concept Review

Every successful project begins with understanding feasibility.
We define key integration points, assess potential risks, and align technical solutions with client requirements, vessel constraints, and classification rules.

2. Basic Design

We develop optimized structural layouts using advanced FEM/FEA analysis, ensuring minimal hull impact while achieving full compliance with class and safety standards.

3. Detailed Design

Our team delivers production-ready drawings, 3D models, and installation details for critical ship areas — including foundations, reinforcements, and grillage systems — ensuring accuracy and ease of fabrication.

4. Installation Support

During the mobilization or modification phase, our engineers provide on-site technical support to ensure smooth installation, commissioning, and testing — reducing rework, downtime, and cost.

Balancing global and local loads

Structural engineering for vessel modifications requires balancing how new installations interact with the ship’s structure. Our engineers consider both global hull responses and localized stresses, evaluating:

• Hull girder bending, shear, and torsion under global loads.
• Environmental and operational effects: wave motion, wind, ice, or snow accretion.
• Equipment and foundation load transfer through grillage structures.
• Safety and functionality: access, fire protection, and HVAC systems.

This integrated approach ensures every vessel remains safe, efficient, and class-approved, no matter the scale of modification

Engineering that performs — worldwide

From concept to commissioning, GLO Marine combines structural expertise with global project experience to deliver results that meet international standards and exceed client expectations.

We’re proud to serve clients across global shipbuilding and offshore markets, delivering engineering that performs at sea — wherever you operate.

Let’s talk about your next vessel modification

At GLO Marine, we understand that every vessel modification is unique — and every project demands the right balance between innovation, safety, and efficiency.

Whether you’re planning a structural upgrade, an offshore mobilization, or a major equipment integration, our engineering team is ready to support you from concept to commissioning.

Let’s discuss how our global structural engineering expertise can help you achieve class-compliant, cost-efficient, and installation-ready results for your next project.

Contact us today to start your engineering journey with GLO Marine — where precision meets performance, worldwide.

People at the Core of GLO Marine

At GLO Marine, people are at the heart of our work. This summer marks seven years since Teodora Ionescu, Silviu Munteanu, and Gabriel Cardaș joined the company, three colleagues who have been with us since the very beginning.

Their stories are about starting something new, learning along the way, and growing together in the maritime industry.

Teodora Ionescu – Office Manager

For seven years, Teodora has been a steady hand in keeping operations organised, managing finances, handling documents, and supporting the team.

“My start at GLO Marine was truly challenging,” she recalls. “It pushed me out of my comfort zone and encouraged me to expand my professional experience. I learned and did things I hadn’t done before, which helped me grow from the very first day.”

The value of making a difference

Today, she finds meaning in knowing that her work supports the entire team:

“What I enjoy most is knowing that my contribution helps create an organised, harmonious work environment. That sense of making a difference is very rewarding.”

When asked what makes GLO Marine stand out, she says:

“The openness to people and new ideas. Everyone’s voice matters, no matter the role. The company genuinely invests in professional development and has a culture built on respect, transparency, and sincere collaboration.”

Silviu Munteanu – IT Engineer

Silviu manages our IT infrastructure, from networks and servers to software and digital tools, making sure everything runs securely and efficiently.

“From the very beginning, I felt a real sense of excitement,” he says. “I joined a professional, open team with great energy.”

Advice for newcomers

The challenges and teamwork keep him motivated:

“I enjoy having real challenges and working alongside people who know their stuff, but who also bring a positive vibe to everything we do.”

His advice for those starting at GLO Marine:

“Be open, get involved, and don’t hesitate to ask questions. This is the right place to learn, grow, and truly feel part of a team.”

Gabriel Cardaș – Project Manager Engineering

Gabriel’s role blends engineering and project coordination, ensuring deadlines are met and communication flows between Class, suppliers, and subcontractors.

“I would say my start was unexpected,” he remembers. “I was recruited right after my internship and invited to continue working part-time.”

Memories built with people

For Gabriel, the variety keeps the work fresh:

“Everything I do brings its own challenges and unique details, which keeps the work interesting.”

His most valuable memories are about the people:

“I can’t choose just one – it wouldn’t be fair to all the other moments. What stands out the most is the people. Many colleagues became friends, and we’ve shared not only hard work but also laughter, sometimes until we were completely out of breath.”

Looking ahead

Why people make the difference in maritime engineering

The experiences of Teodora, Silviu, and Gabriel show that longevity in a company isn’t just about the projects you work on. It’s about shared values, support, and learning together.

At GLO Marine, our work in maritime engineering succeeds because of the people who make it happen – steady, skilled, and committed to moving forward as a team.

Whant to join our team? Check the latest job availability here. 

Ship retrofits aren’t just technical. They’re logistical, operational, and intensely time-sensitive. Unlike newbuilds with long planning horizons, retrofit projects face compressed schedules, evolving scope, and high operational pressure.

To meet these demands at scale, GLO Marine developed a tailored program management system—one that transforms complexity into predictability, even across 20+ projects per year, on five continents.

Why retrofit demands more than project management

Retrofitting a vessel is a high-stakes operation. You’re balancing:

• Tight dry-dock availability
• Long-lead OEM deliveries and customs clearance
• Regulatory approvals mid-project
• Onboard realities that often change scope during execution
• Multi-country coordination across time zones and supply chains

A traditional project management approach just isn’t enough. What’s needed is a program-level framework that integrates engineering, procurement, logistics, and site execution into one cohesive flow.

The GLO Marine approach: Built for speed, designed for scale

At GLO Marine, our retrofit methodology is based on unifying all disciplines involved (technical, operational, and commercial) into a synchronized system. It’s agile enough to adapt to scope changes, yet structured enough to ensure repeatable outcomes, even under intense time pressure.

This isn’t about managing tasks—it’s about managing outcomes.

Each project benefits from centralized planning, fast communication loops, clear accountability, and proactive coordination with shipyards, clients, and classification societies.

Expertise from the field: Dan Marin’s view on retrofit precision

“In retrofit, every day counts. You don’t have the luxury of buffers. You need a system that moves fast and a team that communicates constantly.”
— Dan Marin, Operations Manager, GLO Marine

With over two decades of experience in large shipyards like Daewoo, Dan helped shape GLO’s unique program model—one focused on quality delivery with minimal disruption, regardless of project size or geography.

A real-world example: Tidewater’s BWTS retrofit program

GLO Marine is currently executing a global ballast water treatment system (BWTS) retrofit program for Tidewater, the world’s largest offshore support vessel operator. Together with VMS Group, we’re managing 22 vessel upgrades across three continents.

Key results:

• All engineering packages delivered ahead of schedule
• Zero installation errors to date
• Estimated 10–15% cost savings per vessel via centralized planning
• Fully integrated execution across engineering, logistics, and site teams

This is program management in action—not one-off projects, but a production-like model that scales.

From complexity to confidence

GLO Marine’s retrofit program system delivers:

• Predictable timelines in unpredictable environments
• Integrated procurement and delivery flows
• Faster, more coordinated execution on board
• Lower cost through smarter material consolidation
• Repeatable success across vessel types and locations

Because in retrofit, time isn’t just money—it’s uptime.

Book a retrofit strategy call

Ready to scale your retrofit program with confidence?
Book a call with our retrofit specialists and discover how GLO Marine can streamline execution for your fleet—no matter the size, scope, or geography.

BOOK A MEETING TODAY

At GLO Marine, we have always welcomed engineering challenges, but some engine room retrofit projects stand out for their scale, complexity, and the transformation they deliver. Last year, we took on one of the most ambitious vessel modernisation projects.

For an established client in Romania, we are currently delivering a comprehensive turnkey retrofit of a 1976-built vessel, with the scope focused on the complete renewal of the engine room.

This includes the full replacement of all existing equipment and systems within the engine room, with the boiler room encompassed as an integral part of this space. The primary emphasis is on modernizing and upgrading the entire engine room infrastructure to optimize it’s performance, safety, and efficiency standards.

What makes this project different?

Unlike traditional engine room retrofit projects that rely on partial integration of new systems into existing infrastructure, this time we are carrying out a complete strip-out and replacement of outdated equipment and systems, including the main engines, with fully modernised, high-performance, and energy-efficient equipment tailored to the vessel’s new operational profile.

It is a full-scale transformation that brings together GLO Marine’s integrated expertise across engineering, procurement, fabrication, and installation. The project spans over 14 months and is structured in four major phases:

Project roadmap

1. Basic and detailed engineering
2. Removal of existing onboard equipment
3. Procurement and material supply
4. Fabrication, installation and commissioning of new systems

Feasibility-first: technical advisory from day one

From the very start of the project, we worked closely with the client to shape the most efficient engine room retrofit strategy, providing early-stage technical consultancy and feasibility support.

We advised on equipment selection, material specifications, and accessory compatibility, ensuring optimal alignment between system functionality, vessel design, and future operating requirements.

Current status: progress and next steps

To date, we have completed over 90% of the basic engineering scope. In the coming two weeks, we begin detailed engineering to allow for all new pipe routing, equipment positioning and creating a new digital model of the entire compartment by use of Cadmatic software. We will be focusing on layout redesign, equipment integration, and system compatibility.

In parallel, our teams have spent the last four months dismantling and clearing the outdated equipment. This complex task is now reaching completion, marking this important milestone where precise 3D Scan will be done to achieve the digital twin model of the entire engine room compartment.

 What’s next: full system fabrication and installation

A stretch goal, by end of 2025: fabrication of all piping, equipment foundation and other adjacent components followed by installation onboard to restore the functionality of the vessel. The final stage of the modernisation process will reflect our commitment to future-ready vessel solutions, even in the most technically demanding environments.

At GLO Marine, every engine room retrofit is more than a task—it’s a transformation. This full engine room renewal is a testament to our end-to-end vessels upgrade capabilities and collaborative approach.

Curious how we deliver complex engine room retrofits across sectors?

Explore more GLO Marine projects and discover how we bring future-ready engineering to life.