Containerised energy modules could be a common sight onboard the global merchant fleet of the future, says a leading name in retrofitting in this week’s big Maritime CEO interview. According to Hannes Lilp, CEO of the repair and retrofit company SRC Group, the interest in alternative fuels shows no sign of ebbing, and he is a big believer in methanol, something he sees supply chains finally meeting demand. “12 months is a very short time in maritime. Looking further ahead, I expect the biggest technical breakthroughs will be in fuel and energy – both on the vessel side and in infrastructure,” Lilp reveals. Another possibility he sees as a possible technical breakthrough is the further development of containerised energy modules. When asked about the use of AI, he says SRC already uses AI to speed up repetitive tasks, summarise data, and identify patterns in large datasets. He does acknowledge its limitations regarding factual accuracy but believes that shipping will gradually accept the technology because of clear time and cost benefits. Regarding the industry’s growing interest in technology, Lilp confirms that a spend-to-save approach has become common. “When it delivers efficiency, cost savings, or helps with compliance, it’s a no-brainer,” he claims. “Also, innovation in shipping is largely driven by regulation – not just by the need for efficiency – so in many cases, there’s simply no alternative.” Workforce transformation remains a priority for SRC, as continuous training shifts the focus from routine tasks to strategic thinking. Lilp believes that AI will not take away meaningful work but rather shift the emphasis to strategy and bigger-picture thinking, and that is what he wants his company’s employees to focus on. Looking to the year ahead, SRC Group is promoting its methanol Ss “Now that the supply of methanol fuel is slowly coming through, we anticipate a good moment for shipowners to act on it,” Lilp says. The company is also collaborating on advanced heat pump systems to reduce vessel greenhouse gas emissions. googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-1_95_0_1_2'); });