Friedrichshafen, Germany – October 2025:– Rolls-Royce has successfully tested the world’s first high-speed marine engine powered exclusively by methanol — a major milestone in the development of sustainable propulsion solutions for the maritime industry. Conducted at the company’s Friedrichshafen facility, the breakthrough marks a key achievement in the meOHmare research project, developed in partnership with Woodward L’Orange and WTZ Roßlau.
“This is a genuine world first,” said 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 to open up efficient ways for our customers to reduce CO₂ emissions and further expand our leading role in sustainable propulsion systems.”
Pioneering Climate-Neutral Marine Propulsion
The meOHmare project, funded by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy, aims to develop a fully CO₂-neutral marine engine powered by green methanol by the end of 2025. Methanol presents both opportunities and engineering challenges, as it does not ignite spontaneously like diesel and requires an entirely new injection and combustion process.
“We have fundamentally redesigned the combustion process, the turbocharging, and the engine control system – and even adapted our test bench infrastructure,” explained Dr Johannes Kech, Head of Methanol Engine Development in Rolls-Royce’s Power Systems division. “Initial tests show that the engine is running smoothly – now it’s time for fine-tuning.”
Green Methanol: Fuel for the Future
Green methanol is considered one of the most promising sustainable fuels for shipping. When produced through renewable energy-powered power-to-X processes, it enables carbon-neutral operation. Methanol is also biodegradable, easier to store than many alternative fuels, and produces significantly fewer pollutants.
“For us, methanol is the fuel of the future in shipping – clean, efficient, and climate-friendly,” said Denise Kurtulus, Senior Vice President Global Marine at Rolls-Royce. “It burns with significantly lower emissions than fossil fuels and has a high energy density compared to other sustainable energy sources.”
Dual-Fuel Options as a Bridge
While pure methanol propulsion represents a leap forward, Rolls-Royce is also developing dual-fuel engine concepts capable of operating on both methanol and diesel – a transitional solution until green methanol becomes widely available.
“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,” Kurtulus added. “The single-fuel methanol engine is an attractive solution, especially for operators of ferries, yachts, or supply vessels looking to reduce their carbon footprint. The next step is to create the conditions for broader adoption.”
The successful test marks a significant advance in Rolls-Royce’s long-term strategy to expand its marine business and deliver propulsion systems aligned with the company’s lower carbon strategic pillar.
SOURCE AND IMAGE: ROLLS ROYCE
