Engineering What Matters: 2025
Date: 19.01.26
The maritime industry underwent significant transformation in 2025, as ports and operators balanced the demands of increasing vessel sizes, tighter operational schedules, and heightened sustainability expectations.
For Trelleborg Marine and Infrastructure, this meant delivering practical solutions across diverse environments - from the ice-bound berths of Quebec to the migration routes of humpback whales in Western Australia. Our work spanned large-scale infrastructure projects, digital asset management systems, advanced navigation technology, and offshore energy installations.
This review highlights the key projects and initiatives that defined our year.
Meeting Infrastructure Challenges at Scale
When ArcelorMittal needed to modernize four berths at Port Cartier in Quebec, they faced a familiar challenge: extreme cold, seasonal ice, and minimal tolerance for operational downtime. Our engineering team developed custom SCN super cone fender systems with reverse-orientation designs and pre-aligned backing structures that simplified what could have been a complex upgrade. The Fall 2025 implementation allowed cargo operations to continue while delivering infrastructure designed to withstand Canada's harsh maritime conditions.
Halfway around the world, Egypt's Al Ain Al Sokhna Port presented logistical complexity of a different kind. Coordinating 1,200 fender and 1,200 bollard systems across 13 separate contractors for 12 kilometers of new quay wall required careful planning. Our team upgraded specifications to advanced SCN 950 super cone systems while eliminating traditional chain mechanisms, keeping the project on schedule throughout its construction phase.
Connecting Physical Assets to Digital Systems
The evolution of port operations continued at Malaysia's Northport Wharf 9 in 2025. While the fenders themselves look familiar, what changed was the infrastructure behind them. Our Information Gateway system links each physical asset to a digital ecosystem through QR codes.
Port authorities who previously relied on manual tracking and reactive maintenance schedules now access complete installation histories, automated inspection alerts, and predictive maintenance insights. The shift from reactive to predictive maintenance represents a practical step forward in how maritime infrastructure can be managed.
Advancing Navigation Safety
Captain Mario Alejandro Camacho of the Mexican Sindicato Nacional de Pilotos de Puerto noted the value of standardization as our SafePilot Portable Pilot Unit systems reached completion across 25 major Mexican ports. Pilots who once adapted to different equipment configurations at each port now work within a unified technological ecosystem.
At Port Hedland in Australia, the world's largest iron ore export terminal, precision navigation is essential. A single shipping channel handling massive capesize carriers requires accurate coordination. Our SafeTug real-time positioning technology delivered across the port's 17-vessel tug fleet eliminates the lag inherent in traditional AIS systems, providing pilots and tug masters with improved situational awareness for coordinated maneuvers.
Market validation came when South Korea's Hyundai Heavy Industries contracted us to supply SafePilot P3 navigation systems for 71 new vessels, strengthening our position in the Asian shipbuilding market.
Supporting Offshore Energy Operations
The Woodside Scarborough Floating Production Unit installation in Western Australia required precise engineering. Working alongside McDermott Australia Pty Ltd, our advanced Leg Mating Unit equipped with sandcan technology guided a 30,000MT topside into position. The system had been tested at our manufacturing facility and validated against international standards.
Off the coast of South America, MISC Offshore required solutions for deep waters, tropical storms, and strong currents. Our structural elastomeric bearing solution features a design life exceeding 120 years, combining specialized elastomer compounds with marine-grade carbon steel. When final-phase design changes emerged, our team adjusted to maintain the delivery schedule.
Integrating Technology with Marine Life Conservation
Every year from June to October, humpback whales migrate past the Port of Dampier in Western Australia, one of the country's busiest export hubs. In 2025, we addressed this operational consideration through technology.
The integration of Whale Report Alert System (WRAS) with SafePilot Pro navigation software in partnership with Oceanwise, delivers real-time whale location data directly into pilot navigation displays, enabling proactive route adjustments. The system demonstrates how operational technology can support both efficiency and environmental awareness.
Advancing Gas Transfer solutions
Our presence at Gastech 2025 demonstrated how we're supporting the energy sector's evolving needs. We presented integrated solutions that address gas transfer operations across the entire value chain, from equipment systems to crew training. This comprehensive approach helps suppliers and receivers optimize performance at every stage of their operations. Building on decades of maritime expertise, we've developed solutions that simplify workflows and reduce operational complexity. We believe the industry benefits when technical equipment integrates seamlessly with training, compliance, and ongoing support. This shift from standalone equipment supply to complete operational solutions reflects what we're seeing across the energy sector - a practical recognition that consistent performance requires more than individual components working in isolation.
Introducing IRIS at WindEurope
At WindEurope in Copenhagen, we launched IRIS, our next generation sealing system for offshore wind applications. The system addresses the demanding combination of dynamic loads, saltwater exposure, and extended operational lifecycles. IRIS delivers enhanced durability through innovative design that reduces installation complexity while improving performance. The launch reflects our commitment to supporting the offshore wind sector's expansion with practical engineering solutions tailored to renewable energy infrastructure. Early industry feedback indicates strong interest in technology that reduces lifecycle costs while maintaining reliability in harsh offshore environments.
Delivering Tailored Solutions
Different projects require different approaches. When Roy Hill Mining in Australia requested Quick Release Hooks manufactured in distinctive pink to support breast cancer awareness initiatives, we aligned our production with their corporate social responsibility goals.
At the Port of Trieste in Italy, SIOT Oil Berth contracted us for Line Mooring Systems across two berths while Karadeniz Powerships ordered specialized mooring solutions for their globally positioned floating power plants. Each project demanded specific technical specifications based on unique operational requirements.
A significant milestone came with the first installation of our rope-free AutoMoor automated mooring system at a major Chinese container terminal, marking our entry into one of the world's most sophisticated maritime markets.
Shaping Industry Standards
In another significant industry appointment, our Technical Director, Andrew Stafford assumed the role of Chair of the Society for Gas as a Marine Fuel (SGMF) Technical Committee. This position reflects Trelleborg's our ongoing commitment to shaping technical standards in emerging areas of maritime energy. Under Andrew's leadership, the committee will continue developing best practices and safety protocols for gas-fueled vessels as the industry navigates the path to decarbonization.
Our broader engagement with the maritime community included regional seminars related to fender systems in Westport and Istanbul, specialized webinars for UAE audiences, hands-on workshops in Queensland, and participation at the PIANC Smart Rivers conference in Memphis. In October, we opened our Melbourne facilities - the Engineering Centre of Excellence in Clayton and the Noble Park production facility - to PIANC AU/NZ's Victorian Regional Chapter members for a technical tour.
Moving Forward
The projects completed in 2025 reflect an industry where robustly engineered physical systems integrate with digital solutions to improve efficiency, safety, and sustainability.
Whether optimizing gas transfer workflows, connecting physical assets to digital intelligence, or developing sealing systems for offshore wind, we partner with customers throughout the project lifecycle — from initial engineering through installation, training, and ongoing support.
As the industry continues evolving with larger vessels, tighter operational windows, and accelerating energy transition, the demand for comprehensive infrastructure partnerships grows. We remain committed to meeting these changing needs through practical engineering excellence and sustained collaboration.
For Trelleborg Marine and Infrastructure, this meant delivering practical solutions across diverse environments - from the ice-bound berths of Quebec to the migration routes of humpback whales in Western Australia. Our work spanned large-scale infrastructure projects, digital asset management systems, advanced navigation technology, and offshore energy installations.
This review highlights the key projects and initiatives that defined our year.
Meeting Infrastructure Challenges at Scale
When ArcelorMittal needed to modernize four berths at Port Cartier in Quebec, they faced a familiar challenge: extreme cold, seasonal ice, and minimal tolerance for operational downtime. Our engineering team developed custom SCN super cone fender systems with reverse-orientation designs and pre-aligned backing structures that simplified what could have been a complex upgrade. The Fall 2025 implementation allowed cargo operations to continue while delivering infrastructure designed to withstand Canada's harsh maritime conditions.
Halfway around the world, Egypt's Al Ain Al Sokhna Port presented logistical complexity of a different kind. Coordinating 1,200 fender and 1,200 bollard systems across 13 separate contractors for 12 kilometers of new quay wall required careful planning. Our team upgraded specifications to advanced SCN 950 super cone systems while eliminating traditional chain mechanisms, keeping the project on schedule throughout its construction phase.
Connecting Physical Assets to Digital Systems
The evolution of port operations continued at Malaysia's Northport Wharf 9 in 2025. While the fenders themselves look familiar, what changed was the infrastructure behind them. Our Information Gateway system links each physical asset to a digital ecosystem through QR codes.
Port authorities who previously relied on manual tracking and reactive maintenance schedules now access complete installation histories, automated inspection alerts, and predictive maintenance insights. The shift from reactive to predictive maintenance represents a practical step forward in how maritime infrastructure can be managed.
Advancing Navigation Safety
Captain Mario Alejandro Camacho of the Mexican Sindicato Nacional de Pilotos de Puerto noted the value of standardization as our SafePilot Portable Pilot Unit systems reached completion across 25 major Mexican ports. Pilots who once adapted to different equipment configurations at each port now work within a unified technological ecosystem.
At Port Hedland in Australia, the world's largest iron ore export terminal, precision navigation is essential. A single shipping channel handling massive capesize carriers requires accurate coordination. Our SafeTug real-time positioning technology delivered across the port's 17-vessel tug fleet eliminates the lag inherent in traditional AIS systems, providing pilots and tug masters with improved situational awareness for coordinated maneuvers.
Market validation came when South Korea's Hyundai Heavy Industries contracted us to supply SafePilot P3 navigation systems for 71 new vessels, strengthening our position in the Asian shipbuilding market.
Supporting Offshore Energy Operations
The Woodside Scarborough Floating Production Unit installation in Western Australia required precise engineering. Working alongside McDermott Australia Pty Ltd, our advanced Leg Mating Unit equipped with sandcan technology guided a 30,000MT topside into position. The system had been tested at our manufacturing facility and validated against international standards.
Off the coast of South America, MISC Offshore required solutions for deep waters, tropical storms, and strong currents. Our structural elastomeric bearing solution features a design life exceeding 120 years, combining specialized elastomer compounds with marine-grade carbon steel. When final-phase design changes emerged, our team adjusted to maintain the delivery schedule.
Integrating Technology with Marine Life Conservation
Every year from June to October, humpback whales migrate past the Port of Dampier in Western Australia, one of the country's busiest export hubs. In 2025, we addressed this operational consideration through technology.
The integration of Whale Report Alert System (WRAS) with SafePilot Pro navigation software in partnership with Oceanwise, delivers real-time whale location data directly into pilot navigation displays, enabling proactive route adjustments. The system demonstrates how operational technology can support both efficiency and environmental awareness.
Advancing Gas Transfer solutions
Our presence at Gastech 2025 demonstrated how we're supporting the energy sector's evolving needs. We presented integrated solutions that address gas transfer operations across the entire value chain, from equipment systems to crew training. This comprehensive approach helps suppliers and receivers optimize performance at every stage of their operations. Building on decades of maritime expertise, we've developed solutions that simplify workflows and reduce operational complexity. We believe the industry benefits when technical equipment integrates seamlessly with training, compliance, and ongoing support. This shift from standalone equipment supply to complete operational solutions reflects what we're seeing across the energy sector - a practical recognition that consistent performance requires more than individual components working in isolation.
Introducing IRIS at WindEurope
At WindEurope in Copenhagen, we launched IRIS, our next generation sealing system for offshore wind applications. The system addresses the demanding combination of dynamic loads, saltwater exposure, and extended operational lifecycles. IRIS delivers enhanced durability through innovative design that reduces installation complexity while improving performance. The launch reflects our commitment to supporting the offshore wind sector's expansion with practical engineering solutions tailored to renewable energy infrastructure. Early industry feedback indicates strong interest in technology that reduces lifecycle costs while maintaining reliability in harsh offshore environments.
Delivering Tailored Solutions
Different projects require different approaches. When Roy Hill Mining in Australia requested Quick Release Hooks manufactured in distinctive pink to support breast cancer awareness initiatives, we aligned our production with their corporate social responsibility goals.
At the Port of Trieste in Italy, SIOT Oil Berth contracted us for Line Mooring Systems across two berths while Karadeniz Powerships ordered specialized mooring solutions for their globally positioned floating power plants. Each project demanded specific technical specifications based on unique operational requirements.
A significant milestone came with the first installation of our rope-free AutoMoor automated mooring system at a major Chinese container terminal, marking our entry into one of the world's most sophisticated maritime markets.
Shaping Industry Standards
In another significant industry appointment, our Technical Director, Andrew Stafford assumed the role of Chair of the Society for Gas as a Marine Fuel (SGMF) Technical Committee. This position reflects Trelleborg's our ongoing commitment to shaping technical standards in emerging areas of maritime energy. Under Andrew's leadership, the committee will continue developing best practices and safety protocols for gas-fueled vessels as the industry navigates the path to decarbonization.
Our broader engagement with the maritime community included regional seminars related to fender systems in Westport and Istanbul, specialized webinars for UAE audiences, hands-on workshops in Queensland, and participation at the PIANC Smart Rivers conference in Memphis. In October, we opened our Melbourne facilities - the Engineering Centre of Excellence in Clayton and the Noble Park production facility - to PIANC AU/NZ's Victorian Regional Chapter members for a technical tour.
Moving Forward
The projects completed in 2025 reflect an industry where robustly engineered physical systems integrate with digital solutions to improve efficiency, safety, and sustainability.
Whether optimizing gas transfer workflows, connecting physical assets to digital intelligence, or developing sealing systems for offshore wind, we partner with customers throughout the project lifecycle — from initial engineering through installation, training, and ongoing support.
As the industry continues evolving with larger vessels, tighter operational windows, and accelerating energy transition, the demand for comprehensive infrastructure partnerships grows. We remain committed to meeting these changing needs through practical engineering excellence and sustained collaboration.