Turbochargers have been driving engine innovation for more than a century. From Alfred Büchi’s 1904 patent to today’s state-of-the-art designs, their role has shifted from pure efficiency to becoming a key enabler of decarbonization.
In this episode, Daniel Bischofberger, CEO of Accelleron, explains how pressure ratios have increased from 1.3 bar to 6 bar, why fuel flexibility is now as important as efficiency, and what this means for shipping’s energy transition. A central focus of our conversation is Accelleron’s cartridge concept, which allows turbochargers to be exchanged during a port stay instead of in dry dock — a development that could reshape service and maintenance practices across the industry.
Looking ahead, Daniel highlights synthetic fuels as the real bottleneck on the road to decarbonization. Current production is, as he puts it, “a drop in the ocean,” far from the scale required to meet global demand. He also outlines Accelleron’s growing emphasis on digital solutions, combining software with “human in the loop” advisory to help operators turn data into actionable decisions.
Finally, Daniel reflects on his own path. Coming from power generation and oil & gas, maritime had never been “on his radar” — yet today he calls it his dream job. Listen in to a CEO who has truly discovered a passion for keeping the world running through shipping.
