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Retrofits
Decarbonisation

Independent Program Management for a Passive Air Lubrication System (PALS) Retrofit

Client TUI Cruises
Year 2026

Platform type
 Cruise vessel 

Class

SOW
 Program Management, Engineering Coordination, Site Support
6
Stakeholders coordinated

10
PROGRAM WORKSTREAMS, CONTRACT AWARD TO CLOSE-OUT

20
WORKING DAYS, ESTIMATED INSTALLATION DURATION

Client context
Independent program management for a PALS retrofit

TUI Cruises appointed GLO Marine as dedicated Program Manager for the integration of a Passive Air Lubrication System (PALS), an energy-efficiency retrofit designed to reduce vessel fuel consumption through hull air lubrication.

Acting as the owner's independent technical representative and single point of contact, GLO Marine coordinates the technology supplier, design office, shipyard, classification society and other project stakeholders throughout engineering, preparation, installation and commissioning.

The scope covers the project from contract award through dry-dock execution, sea trials and final close-out.


The challenge
Coordinating a multidisciplinary retrofit within a fixed dry-dock window

Retrofitting a PALS system on an operating cruise vessel requires the integration of new equipment within a highly constrained existing arrangement.

Installation space inside the ballast tanks and surrounding structure is limited, while new piping, electrical and control systems must be introduced without compromising existing vessel systems or operations.

The project also involves several organisations working across different countries, requiring close coordination between the technology supplier, design office, shipyard and Class.

Further challenges include:

  • Managing differences between existing vessel documentation and the actual as-built configuration
  • Coordinating structural, piping, electrical and control interfaces
  • Aligning engineering and Class approval activities with the dry-dock schedule
  • Preparing procurement, logistics and customs documentation ahead of vessel arrival
  • Maintaining a coordinated execution plan for an estimated 20-working-day installation period
Implementation steps
Project phases
01.

GLO Marine established the overall project coordination framework and acts as the main interface between TUI Cruises and the project stakeholders.

  • Program governance and stakeholder coordination
  • Definition and tracking of approximately 10 project workstreams
  • Meeting coordination, action tracking and progress reporting
  • Management of technical interfaces and project change register
  • Coordination between owner, technology supplier, design office, shipyard and Class
02.

The engineering package is reviewed to identify outstanding information, interface requirements and items requiring clarification before installation.

  • Review and validation of class-approved engineering documentation
  • Identification and tracking of outstanding drawings
  • Structural, piping and electrical interface coordination
  • Class submission and approval status tracking
  • Management of technical changes and design clarifications
03.

Preparation activities are coordinated to ensure equipment and materials are available in line with the vessel's dry-dock schedule.

  • Procurement readiness tracking
  • Equipment and material delivery coordination
  • Customs documentation alignment
  • Logistics planning ahead of vessel arrival
  • Coordination between suppliers, shipyard and installation teams
04.

During the dry-dock period in Singapore, GLO Marine supports the owner through on-site coordination and progress monitoring.

  • Site coordination throughout installation
  • Monitoring of interfaces between shipyard and equipment supplier
  • Progress and issue reporting
  • Coordination of commissioning activities
  • Sea-trial preparation and support
05.

Following installation and commissioning, the project is coordinated through documentation close-out and final completion.

  • As-built documentation tracking
  • Outstanding technical and Class action closure
  • Commissioning and sea-trial documentation
  • Final change register close-out
  • Project handover and completion reporting
End of delivery
The outcomes

Project status

The program management framework has been established, providing TUI Cruises with a single coordination point across the technology supplier, design office, shipyard, Class and other project stakeholders.

The engineering package is currently under review ahead of dry-dock execution, with technical interfaces, outstanding documentation, procurement readiness and logistics being coordinated against the installation schedule.

GLO Marine will continue supporting the project through dry-dock installation, commissioning, sea trials and final documentation close-out in Singapore.


Work with us
Contact our retrofit specialist for details
inquiries@glo-marine.com +40790870949