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of new systems into existing infrastructure, this time we are carrying out a complete strip-out and replacement of outdated equipment and systems, including the main engines, with fully modernised, high-performance, and energy-efficient equipment tailored to the vessel’s new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
- Basic and detailed engineering
- Removal of existing onboard equipment
- Procurement and material supply
- 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.