Just in time for SMM 2026, the Maritime Cluster Northern Germany (MCN) will publish the fifth edition of its MCN Ship Efficiency Guide. The guide provides an overview of current regulatory requirements, new technologies and best practices for efficient ship operation. It covers both existing vessels and newbuildings and is intended to support the evaluation of technologies and fuel options.
The new edition includes additional content on fuel blends and additives, as well as different fuel options for the decarbonisation of shipping. Updated fuel matrices are designed to simplify comparisons between alternative fuels.
The chapter on digitalisation, assistance systems and performance monitoring has also been expanded to cover topics such as the use of artificial intelligence for collecting, analysing and evaluating operational data. According to MCN, this data is playing an increasingly important role in improving vessel efficiency.
Further additions include an overview of engine retrofit options for future fuels and other retrofit technologies aimed at improving ship efficiency. A new chapter is dedicated to batteries for maritime applications and their growing role in fully electric propulsion systems, such as those used on ferries.
The fifth edition of the MCN Ship Efficiency Guide will be available as a free download from 31 August 2026 via the Maritime Cluster Northern Germany website.
Hall B6, Booth 154
