Since the heat of compression ignites the fuel air mixture in a diesel, how would a diesel engine benefit from a laser-operated ignition system?
Obviously no benefit in a diesel,,, the compression stroke and the associated heat buildup occurs first and then fuel is introduced ... power is controlled in a diesel by changing the amount of air (with super/turbo charging) and changing the amount of fuel injected... of course the quality of the fuel charge (finely atomized is better) counts also...
The shipping companies with their giant diesel engines have nothing to gain ,,, those engines turn SLOWLY and are very efficient at burning their fuel charge completely...
The gains are on the dozens of smaller engines throughout a ship , generators , pumps and such...