ABS and Lomarlabs Partnered on Shipping Emissions
The companies formed a research collaboration to accelerate the adoption of alternative fuels in commercial vessels.
Updated on Sept. 22, 2026 in Energy
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ABS and Lomarlabs have signed a Master Research Collaboration Agreement to develop technologies for reduced emissions and improved fuel efficiency. The partnership focuses on supporting startups and testing new hardware in the maritime sector.
Why it matters
This collaboration aims to address the practical barriers to decarbonizing commercial shipping by integrating research expertise with startup innovation. It focuses on the rapid testing of solutions needed to transition the global maritime fleet toward alternative fuels.
The partnership prioritizes the development of technologies for automation and operational fuel efficiency. The scope of technical investigation includes engine-integrated hardware and fuel system optimization.
The players
ABS
A major maritime classification society providing technical standards, certification, and safety advisory services for global shipping fleets.
Lomarlabs
An innovation arm of the maritime group Lomar, focused on testing and scaling new technologies for the shipping industry.
Blaze Energy
A technology developer specializing in compact, engine-integrated systems designed to optimize fuel processing and reduce vessel emissions.
The details
The collaboration utilizes a shared model of technical expertise and advisory services to support maritime startups. The first pilot project involves testing a compact engine-integrated fuel reformer developed by Blaze Energy. A fuel reformer is a device that converts fuel into a hydrogen-rich gas to improve combustion efficiency and reduce emissions before it enters the ship's engine.
Timeline
September 22, 2026: The research collaboration agreement was formalized.
The Tech Race
This collaboration follows the industry shift toward the International Maritime Organization's 2023 greenhouse gas strategy, which mandates significant carbon intensity reductions for international shipping. It marks a move to translate these regulatory benchmarks into hardware-level pilot projects that test fuel efficiency in real-world operating conditions.
The pilot project with Blaze Energy will determine the viability of compact fuel reformers for existing commercial vessels. Commercial ship operators should monitor the test results to see if this hardware offers a retrofit solution for improving efficiency without complete engine replacement.
The takeaway
The maritime industry is increasingly relying on collaborative pilot programs to bypass the slow pace of traditional naval engineering. Watch for the performance metrics released from the Blaze Energy pilot project as an indicator of whether compact fuel reformers can reach wide-scale commercial viability.
Further reading
Explore more developments in maritime sustainability in our Energy section.
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Do you believe industry partnerships are the most effective way to reduce maritime emissions?
