A recent study by OneLink showed that 13% of vessels across a European mixed cargo fleet with poor machinery routine maintenance suffered rising fuel consumption and CO2 emissions.
In a market where margins are tightening and environmental regulations are intensifying, inconsistent engine monitoring is quietly eroding vessel performance. As decarbonisation pressures mount, precise control over engine efficiency and emissions is no longer optional. Unseen machinery inefficiencies contributes not only to higher Opex but also to excess CO₂ output, now penalised under schemes like EU ETS.
Pankaj Sharma, MD OneLink, said: “Shipowners understand that engine performance matters, but what they lack is visibility—where, when, and how performance starts to degrade. What they need is a solution that gives them exactly that clarity, turning reactive fixes, lagging indicators or guesswork into proactive intelligence.”
The OneLink study showed progressive sludge accumulation over a period of 3-6 months, the buildup leading to rising operational inefficiencies like rising fuel consumption and exhaust temperature anomalies often culminating in emergency repairs and unscheduled maintenance costing between US$ 5,000 and US$ 15,000 per vessel. In worst-case scenarios, overheating can cause component failure, damage to liners or pistons, breakdown repairs that can exceed US$ 50,000 on one vessel alone.
Deployed as part of the OneLink suite, EngineLink is designed to enable a smarter, condition-based maintenance strategy, extending engine life, optimising fuel use, and avoiding costly downtime. It does this by integrating real-time engine performance data, including pressure drops, fuel consumption anomalies and exhaust gas temperature spikes and engine load variations. It then uses AI-powered analytics to:
- Detect early signs of fouling, scaling, or sludge buildup
- Recommend optimal maintenance schedules based on real mechanical degradation, complementing planned maintenance cycles.
- Alert operators to potential mechanical stress before it leads to catastrophic failure
- Automatically generate audit-ready performance and condition logs for PMS, DNV, or flag-state compliance
Sharma said: “Our goal is to shift cleaning from a reactive to a pro-active monitoring service. With EngineLink, shipowners get control, not just compliance. Many operators are paying the price for ineffective cleaning without realising it, mainly through excess bunker consumption, higher emissions, or off-hire due to equipment failure. With EngineLink, we’re giving them the data clarity and control to act before problems become costs.”
The solution integrates seamlessly with existing OneLink services, offering a unified view of performance degradation across machinery, hull, and propeller systems. This supports decision-making for both technical superintendents and crew onboard.
EngineLink capitalises on economies of scale and offers support from experienced engineers who continuously monitor onboard systems, to evaluate performance data in real time and issue proactive alerts, whether to vessel crew, the technical team ashore, or directly to contracted maintenance providers. This monitoring capability enables early intervention, often well before a machinery failure occurs, especially for components under ongoing maintenance and monitoring services.
According to OneLink, with growing pressure from charterers and regulators, including the EU ETS and CII frameworks, the stakes for engine efficiency have never been higher. A lack of performance visibility doesn’t just cost money, it increases CO₂ emissions, undermines sustainability goals, can push a vessel off-hire, and exposes operators to reputational and regulatory risks.
Sharma concluded: “EngineLink is part of a broader strategy to bring precision and predictability to onboard operations,” said Mr Sharma. “The difference between meeting your fuel budget or exceeding your emissions target often comes down to something as fundamental as real-time engine awareness.”
Image: Capt Pankaj Sharma, MD OneLink Performance (source: OneLink)
