In partnership with Woodward L’Orange and WTZ Roßlau, Rolls-Royce has achieved a historic milestone under the meOHmare project by testing the first high-speed marine engine powered exclusively by methanol.
Rolls-Royce has announced the successful completion of the world’s first test of a high-speed marine engine running entirely on methanol, conducted at its test facility in Friedrichshafen, Germany. This breakthrough marks a crucial step toward carbon-neutral and environmentally sustainable propulsion solutions for the maritime industry.
+ Video: Lamborghini Huracán owner warns about car maintenance costs
“This is truly a world first,” said Dr. Jörg Stratmann, CEO of Rolls-Royce Power Systems AG. “So far, there is no other high-speed engine in this performance class that runs purely on methanol. We are investing in future technologies to provide our customers with efficient ways to reduce CO₂ emissions and further strengthen our leadership in sustainable propulsion systems.”
The project is part of the meOHmare initiative, funded by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy, bringing together the expertise of Rolls-Royce, injection system specialist Woodward L’Orange, and the research center WTZ Roßlau.
The goal is to develop, by the end of 2025, a complete concept for a CO₂-neutral marine engine based on green methanol.
Innovative technology for a new fuel
Unlike diesel, methanol does not ignite spontaneously, requiring an entirely new injection technology. “We redesigned the combustion process, turbocharging, and engine control system — even the test bench infrastructure was adapted,” explained Dr. Johannes Kech, Head of Methanol Engine Development at Rolls-Royce Power Systems. “The initial tests show the engine runs stably — now it’s time for fine-tuning.”
Green methanol: a clean, safe, and promising fuel
With the successful completion of the tests, Rolls-Royce has sent a clear signal to the maritime industry. “Green methanol is a fuel for the future — and the technology is ready,” said Denise Kurtulus, Vice President of Global Marine Business at Rolls-Royce. “A single-fuel methanol engine is an attractive solution, especially for operators of ferries, yachts, and support vessels who want to reduce their carbon footprint.”
At the same time, Rolls-Royce is also working on a dual-fuel concept combining methanol and diesel — a transitional solution until green methanol becomes widely available.
Why methanol?
Green methanol is considered one of the most promising alternative fuels for maritime transport. Produced using electricity from renewable sources (power-to-X process), it operates with CO₂ neutrality, is easy to store, biodegradable, and significantly reduces pollutant emissions.
“For us, methanol is the fuel of the future in shipping — clean, efficient, and environmentally responsible,” concluded Stratmann. “It combines performance, safety, and sustainability in a solution that can redefine the future of marine propulsion.”
Source and images: MTU Solutions – Rolls-Royce. This content was created with the help of AI and reviewed by the editorial team.
