Marine and Infrastructure Outlook 2025

2025 is anticipated to be another year of change throughout the sectors that we operate in. In reflection of the world around us, three key factors are driving transformation - the mandate to decarbonize, incoming technological innovations, and evolving regulatory and economic landscapes. While these present challenges, they also unlock significant opportunities to improve operations, enhance commercial performance, and create lasting benefits for society and our environment. Let's explore how Trelleborg Marine and Infrastructure will help chart the course forward in the year ahead.

 

Supporting the green transition

The shipping industry's direction toward decarbonization will take greater shape in 2025 following the outcome of further regulatory decisions on 2050 emissions reductions plans. While the sector waits for greater clarity from the International Maritime Organization (IMO) on the routes for achieving its 2050 emissions reduction requirements, regional initiatives are gaining momentum. The incoming FuelEU Maritime requirements and U.S. state-led initiatives are setting the pace, with other markets poised to follow.

 

Pragmatism is prevailing in the face of uncertainty around long-term clean fuel choices. Within this, LNG remains a popular transition fuel. Our LNG transfer team has been helping to scale the use of LNG as a bunker fuel for the last decade through the integration of modern, compatible ESD and mooring systems. We envisage that there will be increasing appetite to apply the critical lessons learned around safety, handling, transportation, and infrastructure to other alternative fuels as shipping companies plan for incoming changes.

As definitive clean fuel options remain uncertain, ship owners and operators are also turning to clean technologies and digital solutions to improve fuel efficiency for reducing costs and emissions in the near term. While options like wind propulsion and hull lubrication compete for fleet-wide installations, our TSX5 shaft power meter is emerging as a cornerstone technology – not just for improving fuel efficiency, but for optimizing vessel lifetime performance and ensuring environmental compliance.

 

Advancing Port Operations: Enhancing Efficiency, Safety, and Sustainability

In conjunction with decarbonization pressures, improving efficiencies and raising safety standards are key to advancing operations in 2025. At the end of 2024, the consultancy, Beacon, reported increased port congestion in Asia, North America and Europe. It revealed that year-on-year average anchorage times had increased in 70% of the ports it analyzed, including Shanghai, Rotterdam, Valencia, Pireaus, Dubai (Jebel Ali), and Singapore. The impact of the Red Sea crisis is likely to continue affecting conditions. This highlights the immediate challenge of reducing turnaround times and the role of advancing berthing and mooring practices to alleviate extended waiting times.

Our innovative solutions can make an immediate difference. In our upcoming webinar this month, we will explain how our Automoor rope-free mooring system can dramatically boost berth operability from 65% to 95%. By slashing mooring times from 50 minutes to under a minute, these systems can deliver tangible reductions in GHG emissions by reducing the fuel consumption associated with idling in port.

 

With the new administration taking office in the US, uncertainty surrounds the future of automated port operations domestically. However, port digitalization is expected to continue advancing globally and in targeted applications across North America. In tandem, there is still a need for ports to improve traditional infrastructure. This year, Trelleborg will continue to collaborate with PIANC and the wider industry to advocate for the greater implementation of PIANC’s updated guidelines, particularly to improve the testing and quality of fender systems used in port infrastructure. By doing so, we hope to enable ports to improve the safety of operations whilst maximizing the value of OPEX through reducing the need for repairs and replacements.

Driving Innovation in the Offshore Wind Sector

2024 was a tough year for the offshore wind industry but its long-term prospects are still strong. Clarksons projects an encouraging surge in investment – from US$24 billion in 2024 to US$69 billion in 2025, targeting 32 GW of new capacity. While U.S. policy shifts may create turbulence, strong momentum is expected in Europe, the UK, and China. We will watch and adapt to support our customers based on the impact that this creates locally and internationally.

We know that OEMs are keen to advance the construction of high-volume turbine platforms to generate good margins. Turbine designs and their sizes are evolving. Larger systems have implications for components’ tolerances and more complex engineering requirements. Since 2007, we have been pioneering the development of offshore wind foundation seals and alongside developers, designers, and fabricators worldwide to meet new challenges. In April, we will be unveiling our newest innovation at WindEurope in Copenhagen. Our latest solution is designed to provide greater simplicity, efficiency, and safety.

Improving connectivity: Tunnel projects in progress

This year will see the continuation of several major subsea tunneling projects such as China’s Jintang Undersea tunnel and Norway’s record-breaking four lane Rogfast undersea tunnel. A study to scope the design of a subsea tunnel between Spain and Morrocco could also be revisited in 2025. This could be with a view to it opening in time for the 2030 Football World Cup which is being hosted by the two countries.

 

Amongst Trelleborg’s projects, this year will see our continued support for the Fehmarnbelt Fixed Link tunnel. Our Gina gaskets, Omega seals and bespoke Waterstop systems are being integrated within the world’s largest immersed tunnel project. The 18-kilometer tunnel will improve road and rail links between Denmark and Germany, reducing annual CO2 emissions by 200,000 tons.

Standardizing FRSU operations and enabling alternative energy infrastructure

The Floating Storage and Regasification Unit (FSRU) market is still experiencing significant growth, driven by energy security concerns and the need for flexible LNG import solutions. These vessels have proven to be crucial in helping nations diversify their energy sources and reduce dependency on pipeline gas.

 

FSRUs, as key components of modern LNG infrastructure, will need to adopt standardized practices to ensure compatibility and interoperability with other elements of LNG supply chains. By doing so, LNG operators can significantly reduce operational costs associated with training, maintenance, and regulatory compliance. Standardization not only simplifies operations but also enhances cost management, supporting the financial sustainability of FSRUs in a rapidly evolving energy market. Within this, advanced mooring systems and transfer technologies have enabled operations in more challenging conditions, while maintaining high safety standards.

For decades, Trelleborg has collaborated with energy companies and contractors to help standardize ship-to-ship LNG transfer procedures through the provision of a portfolio of ESL links and other solutions to improve safety and efficiency. As we move forward following our recent acquisition of Mampaey Offshore Industries, we look forward to evolving our offering to meet customers’ changing demands.

 

Beyond LNG, as energy companies diversify into other alternative fuels, we look forward to working with them directly. By leveraging the insights gained through our involvement in groups such as SGMF and SIGTTO, we aim to help shape the future of energy transfer infrastructure.

 

Forging closer market connections

Our commitment to customer proximity takes a major step forward in 2025 with the construction of our new state-of-the-art production facility near Ahmedabad, India. Located strategically near our global engineering centre, this facility will manufacture our complete range of marine and infrastructure products while enabling closer collaboration with key regional customers. Watch this space for further updates!

 

Protecting the essential

Trelleborg is committed to ‘protecting the essential’ through the unique characteristics of our products and solutions. This encompasses protecting people, protecting industrial equipment, protecting infrastructure & protecting the environment.

Trelleborg is committed to ‘protecting the essential’ through the unique characteristics of our products and solutions. This encompasses protecting people, protecting industrial equipment, protecting infrastructure & protecting the environment.

In the months ahead, we will be working towards achieving our ambitions to halve our direct and indirect CO2 emissions between 2021 and 2030. We are also progressing our initiatives throughout the value chain to reduce our indirect (Scope 3) emissions by 25% by 2030.

 

From making our manufacturing facilities more energy efficient to sourcing traceable, natural rubber, we have already made some significant strides across all touch points to mitigate our climate impact and improve circularity. By making incremental changes we will also be better positioned to help our customers improve their own scope 3 emissions and enhance the sustainability of operations across their own value chains.

Balancing cost, commitments, and value

To conclude, there are existing and new market factors to navigate across all sectors. There will be balances to be struck between maximizing returns on investments and realizing longer-term value in terms of performance, efficiency, and responsible behaviors. Whatever the challenge, we are passionate about helping our customers to tackle them head on and creating value from our approach.