Fives and Avantis partner to deliver scalable deNOx retrofit solutions for cleaner global shipping
A Gamechanger for Marine Retrofit
The collaboration targets the retrofit market, focusing on the modernisation of boiler and combustion systems across the existing fleet of a major international oil and gas operator. With the majority of the world’s vessels already in operation, retrofit represents the fastest and most impactful pathway to achieve near-term emissions reductions at scale.
- Fives will develop a high-performance, customised burner with integrated DeNOx technology, drawing on more than 100 years of industrial combustion expertise through its subsidiary Fives Pillard, supported by Fives’ advanced R&D and combustion testing capabilities (Fives European Combustion Centre).
- Avantis will lead onboard integration and installation, leveraging its extensive experience in emissions control and decarbonisation retrofits, alongside deep expertise in marine boiler services and a global service footprint, to ensure fast, reliable deployment with minimal operational disruption.
Already proven in demanding industrial environments, the solution delivers a cost-effective, scalable, and easy-to-deploy pathway to address one of the maritime industry’s most critical challenges: reducing NOx emissions. The technology is designed to be adaptable across vessel sizes and boiler types, enabling fleet-wide rollouts without complex redesigns.
For shipowners, the value proposition extends well beyond compliance. The solution enables operators to future-proof their fleets against tightening environmental standards while delivering clear operational and financial benefits:
- Reduced CAPEX and OPEX
- Minimized vessel downtime
- Rapid scalability across fleets
- A practical pathway toward long-term sustainability targets
Xavier NICOLAS, Managing Director, Fives Pillard:
“This agreement marks a significant milestone in expanding Fives’ marine offering and international footprint. Together with Avantis, we are bringing proven DeNOx technology from industry to the maritime sector, giving shipowners a concrete solution to reduce their environmental impact today while preparing for the regulatory landscape of tomorrow. We are proud to see our Pillard DeNOx system deployed at sea for the first time, with many more installations to come.”
Chris DAVID, Chairman, Avantis:
“Clean-tech retrofit is central to Avantis’ mission. With a large international client base and a global service footprint, combined with our extensive experience in marine boiler emissions and controls and general decarbonisation retrofits, Avantis is uniquely positioned to scale practical emissions-reduction solutions across operating fleets. This partnership with Fives brings together industrial DeNOx innovation and proven marine retrofit delivery, enabling shipowners to achieve immediate, measurable environmental impact across their fleets worldwide.”