As environmental regulations evolve and the maritime industry places greater focus on sustainability, onboard waste handling is entering a new era. But some challenges remain unchanged, especially for vessels operating on long voyages, in remote areas, or with limited access to shore-based waste reception.
We sat down with Ole Bulien, Head of Sales Incinerators at TeamTec, to talk about the current state of marine incineration, what’s changing, and why onboard systems are still essential for modern fleets.
Navigating change in the marine incinerator industry
“The industry is changing, and that’s a good thing,” Ole says. “Stricter environmental requirements and growing sustainability goals are pushing manufacturers like us to innovate.”
One major shift Ole highlights is the trend of storing waste oils in holding tanks for later offloading at port, as reception facilities improve in many areas. However, solid waste remains a different story. For vessels that operate in isolated regions, with long times between port calls, or with unreliable reception options, onboard incineration is still the most practical and environmentally responsible solution.
“Solid waste can be a biohazard, and it’s a source of smell,” Ole explains. “Having a safe and effective way to treat it onboard is crucial.”
High-performance systems built for modern demands
TeamTec incinerators are engineered with both environmental compliance and operational efficiency in mind. “Our models are performing much better on emissions than the strict MARPOL code allows,” Ole notes. “With nearly complete combustion, the environmental footprint of incinerating waste onboard is lower than many alternative disposal methods.”
Modern TeamTec systems are compact, easy to operate, and designed to integrate seamlessly with vessel operations. Whether for newbuilds or retrofits, they offer high capacity in a small footprint, backed by global service and lifecycle support.
Simplicity, safety, and compliance – delivered
As shipowners and operators navigate increasingly complex regulatory frameworks, Ole’s advice is simple: Choose technology that is reliable, easy to maintain, and globally supported.
“At TeamTec, we’ve always focused on delivering straightforward systems that do the job – efficiently, safely, and in line with international regulations. That hasn’t changed,” he says. “But what has changed is how much better we can do it today.”
Looking ahead
The role of incinerators may be shifting, but their value remains clear, especially for vessels with long-range operations and limited infrastructure access. With advanced combustion technology, smart controls, and support that extends far beyond delivery, TeamTec continues to lead the way in onboard waste management.
