At Nor-Shipping 2025, leading shortsea RORO carrier United European Car Carriers (UECC) announced it will outfit six more of its vessels with FuelOpt, a propulsion efficiency system developed by Manta Marine Technologies (MMT)—bringing MMT’s total installations to over 500 vessels worldwide.
The decision signals a new phase in a relationship that stretches back over a decade. UECC was an early adopter of MMT’s technology, participating in foundational research efforts to trial performance optimisation and fuel-saving technologies across various vessel classes.
With the deployment of FuelOpt to these additional six vessels, UECC is doubling down on its commitment to operational efficiency and environmental responsibility—two objectives becoming increasingly vital as EU ETS regulations, CII requirements, and market expectations continue to evolve.
“We chose the FuelOpt solution as it is easily integrated with our fleet across different vessel types,” said Glenn Edvardsen, CEO of UECC. “The automated system makes emission control reporting so much easier too and we have already seen significant fuel savings with the initial installations. We’re excited to expand this solution across additional vessels, where we’re confident it will further enhance performance and continue to strengthen the strong and successful partnership we’ve built with MMT over the years.”
The move also highlights UECC’s broader strategy toward digital vessel performance management, enabling ship operators to reduce fuel consumption while removing the administrative burden from onboard crews.
FuelOpt’s Functionality: A Closer Look
FuelOpt optimises propulsion in real-time by automatically adjusting speed and engine output based on prevailing conditions such as wind, waves, and currents. It works with any fuel type and integrates with existing onboard systems without requiring a retrofit of engine control systems.
Unlike traditional manual methods of emissions tracking and fuel logging, FuelOpt automates reporting in line with regulatory frameworks like EU MRV and IMO DCS. This frees up crews to focus on operations while shipowners maintain transparency and compliance across their fleets.
“We ensure we work closely with our customers to make sure we deliver true and lasting efficiencies across entire fleets,” said Ina Reksten, CEO of MMT. “It is very fitting that our 500th FuelOpt deployment is with our longstanding partner UECC. Their commitment to innovation has been instrumental in shaping how our system has evolved.”
A Milestone for Manta Marine Technologies
The FuelOpt milestone is part of MMT’s broader portfolio of maritime technologies that support greener, smarter shipping. In addition to propulsion optimisation, the company offers shore power solutions, marine electrification systems, and full lifecycle services for shipowners and operators.
Headquartered in Oslo and with offices in Sweden, Poland, and China, MMT collaborates closely with yards and naval architects to integrate its systems from the design phase through to vessel operations. Their modular, scalable solutions allow for deployment across a wide range of vessel types—from shortsea ROROs to deep-sea tankers.
Fleet-wide optimisation is no longer a forward-looking goal—it’s becoming a practical necessity for operators facing regulatory, environmental, and commercial pressure to run leaner and cleaner vessels. UECC’s ongoing investment in FuelOpt is a case in point.
With over 500 ships now equipped and active with the system, MMT is positioning itself as a go-to provider for shipowners aiming to enhance fuel efficiency while easing the operational workload for crews at sea.
