Tanya Weaver Wed 29 Oct 2025
Collected at: https://eandt.theiet.org/2025/10/29/rolls-royce-successfully-tests-world-first-methanol-engine-carbon-free-shipping
The first high-speed marine engine that runs entirely on methanol has been demonstrated in initial bench tests at Rolls-Royce.
Following six years in development, this bench test was a milestone, according to Denise Kurtulus, head of marine business at Rolls-Royce, who said: “We’ve proven that CO2-free marine propulsion with combustion engines is possible.”
The engine manufacturer performed the test at its advanced engineering division in Friedrichshafen, Germany, demonstrating that a 2,000kW engine can run entirely on methanol.
Dr Jörg Stratmann, CEO of Rolls-Royce Power Systems, said: “This is a genuine world first. To date, there is no other high-speed engine in this performance class that runs purely on methanol.”
Methanol is considered one of the major contenders as a green shipping fuel. If it is produced using electricity from renewable energies (known as green methanol), its operation is CO2-neutral. And unlike, other sustainable fuels, such as ammonia and hydrogen, methanol is easy to store, biodegradable and causes fewer pollutants.
“For us, methanol is the fuel of the future in shipping – clean, efficient and climate-friendly. It burns with significantly lower emissions than fossil fuels and has a high energy density compared to other sustainable energy sources,” said Kurtulus.
However, methanol presents its own engineering challenges. For instance, as an alcohol-based liquid fuel it does not ignite spontaneously as diesel does. As such, modifications must be made to the engine, including the installation of completely new injection technology.
Dr Johannes Kech, head of methanol engine development at Rolls-Royce Power Systems, said: “We have fundamentally redesigned the combustion process, the turbocharging and the engine control system – and even adapted our test bench infrastructure.
“Initial tests show that the engine is running smoothly – now it’s time for fine-tuning.”
Rolls-Royce
Kurtulus said: “With this successful test run, we are sending a clear signal: green methanol is a future-oriented fuel – and the technology for it is here.”
The bench tests form part of the meOHmare research project, which is a collaboration between Rolls-Royce, German fuel injection system specialist Woodward L’Orange and German research institute WTZ Roßlau.
Funded by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy, the project’s aim is to develop a comprehensive concept for a CO2-neutral marine engine based on green methanol by the end of 2025.
The project is targeting operators of ferries, yachts or supply vessels who want to reduce their carbon footprint through the use of a single-fuel methanol engine.
According to Kurtulus, the focus is now on creating the framework conditions for wider use.
Until such time as green methanol is widely available, Rolls-Royce says it is developing a bridging technology: a dual-fuel concept that can use both methanol and diesel.
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