Rolls-Royce has successfully tested the ‘world’s first’ high-speed marine engine powered exclusively by methanol on its test bench in Friedrichshafen.
As part of a partnership in the meOHmare research project, Rolls-Royce, Woodward L’Orange and WTZ Roßlau are developing sustainable propulsion technology. The goal is to develop a comprehensive concept for a CO2-neutral marine engine based on green methanol by the end of 2025.
“This is a genuine world first,” says Dr. Jörg Stratmann, CEO of Rolls-Royce Power Systems AG. “To date, there is no other high-speed engine in this performance class that runs purely on methanol. We are investing specifically in future technologies in order to open up efficient ways for our customers to reduce CO2 emissions and further expand our leading role in sustainable propulsion systems.”
Rolls-Royce’s ambition is to offer customers efficient ways to reduce their CO2 emissions, inline with the ‘lower carbon’ strategic pillar of its multi-year transformation programme.
Rolls-Royce’s Power Systems division released its half year financial results in July, reporting strong and profitable growth in the first half of 2025.
The joint project meOHmare is funded by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy and combines the expertise of Rolls-Royce, injection system specialist Woodward L’Orange, and the WTZ Roßlau technology and research center.
Innovative technology for a new fuel
Methanol provides new challenges for engineering: unlike diesel, liquid alcohol does not ignite spontaneously and requires a completely new injection technology. “We have fundamentally redesigned the combustion process, the turbocharging, and the engine control system – and even adapted our test bench infrastructure,” explains Dr. Johannes Kech, head of methanol engine development in the Power Systems division at Rolls-Royce. “Initial tests show that the engine is running smoothly – now it’s time for fine-tuning.”
Methanol technology reaches important development milestone
“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,” says Denise Kurtulus, senior vice president global marine at Rolls-Royce. “The single-fuel methanol engine is an attractive solution, especially for operators of ferries, yachts or supply vessels who want to reduce their carbon footprint. The task now is to create the framework conditions for wider use.”
Methanol for marine propulsion
Green methanol is considered one of the most promising alternative fuels for shipping. If it is produced using electricity from renewable energies in a power-to-X process, its operation is CO2-neutral. Compared to other sustainable fuels, methanol is easy to store, biodegradable, and causes significantly 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 Denise Kurtulus.
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