3D Scanning for Alternative Fuel Tank Retrofits on Deck

The global shipping industry is entering a decisive transition period driven by the International Maritime Organization’s decarbonization strategy and upcoming fuel-intensity regulations.

As shipowners prepare their fleets for alternative fuels such as methanol, LNG, ammonia and hybrid systems, retrofit activity is accelerating across all vessel segments.

A growing number of these conversions require new fuel tanks and associated systems to be installed on deck, particularly on existing vessels where internal space limitations prevent below-deck modifications.

These projects introduce significant engineering, safety and spatial challenges that cannot be addressed using traditional drawings alone.

Scanpro is actively supporting such retrofit projects by providing high-accuracy 3D scanning and as-built documentation, enabling safe design, verification and installation of new fuel tank systems on board operating vessels.

Under the revised IMO Greenhouse Gas Strategy and forthcoming MARPOL Annex VI amendments, shipowners are required to progressively reduce vessel carbon intensity and prepare for low- and zero-carbon fuels.

As a result, vessels across the global fleet are being upgraded with:

For many vessel types — including tankers, bulk carriers and container ships — the installation of new fuel tanks on deck has become the most viable retrofit solution.

On-deck fuel tank retrofits extend far beyond the installation of new equipment.

They directly affect:

Most existing vessels were never designed for these systems, and discrepancies between original drawings and actual vessel condition are common.

Accurate knowledge of the true as-built geometry is therefore essential before engineering can proceed.

Traditional survey methods and legacy drawings often fail to capture:

High-resolution 3D laser scanning provides a precise digital representation of the vessel’s current condition.

Scanpro delivers:

This allows retrofit planning to be based on measured reality rather than assumptions.

Scanpro supports alternative fuel retrofit projects throughout all phases:

Accurate scan data enables assessment of:

3D scan models support:

Digital models assist with:

Verified as-built data supports:

In active retrofit projects, Scanpro commonly encounters:

These factors significantly increase the risk of rework if accurate spatial data is unavailable.

3D scanning reduces uncertainty, improves coordination between stakeholders and minimizes costly design changes during installation.

Scanpro provides reality capture support for:

These services are applicable across:

The final deliverable extends beyond a point cloud.

Scanpro provides a reality-based vessel digital twin that can be used for:

As alternative fuel technologies continue to evolve, this digital twin becomes a permanent reference model for the vessel.

The transition toward low- and zero-carbon fuels is not a single retrofit event but a phased transformation.

Accurate as-built documentation ensures that today’s fuel conversion projects:

IMO regulations are accelerating the adoption of alternative fuels across the global shipping fleet.

On-deck fuel tank retrofits are becoming a standard solution — but they demand precise engineering, verified spatial data and reliable documentation.

Through advanced 3D laser scanning and reality capture, Scanpro supports shipowners, shipyards and engineering teams in delivering safe, compliant and efficient new-fuel retrofit projects.

By capturing the vessel as it truly exists, Scanpro enables confident design decisions and smoother transition toward the fuels of the future.