Seoul, South Korea | December 31, 2025 – HD Hyundai Heavy Industries, Engine & Machinery Division (HHI – EMD), has successfully demonstrated that its HiMSEN four-stroke dual-fuel engine (H32DF-LM) can operate stably on ethanol fuel, reinforcing the company’s technological capabilities in accommodating eco-friendly fuels.
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Testing Overview: Ethanol on HiMSEN H32DF-LM
The verification involved extensive combustion and operational characteristic tests using ethanol fuel, based on HHI’s methanol dual-fuel engine platform. Testing confirmed that the engine could maintain stable operation across all load points, demonstrating reliable startability, combustion stability, consistent power output, and controlled exhaust gas characteristics under variations in fuel properties. Importantly, the tests were conducted while retaining the existing methanol engine hardware wherever possible.
Matters as a Marine Fuel
Ethanol, like methanol, is a liquid at atmospheric conditions and can be produced from bio-based sources. Its characteristics make it a promising alternative marine fuel with significant carbon reduction potential. The fuel is attracting growing attention from shipowners and the shipbuilding industry, offering flexibility to respond to regional methanol supply constraints and price volatility.
Technological Significance
Through this ethanol application test, HHI has strengthened its technological competitiveness in fuel flexibility. The company plans to carry out additional durability tests, reflecting classification society requirements and commercial operating conditions, to validate the engine’s performance under real-world operating scenarios.
HD Hyundai Heavy Industries considers this achievement a strategic milestone, as it adds ethanol to the range of alternative fuels available to customers in the eco-friendly fuel market. By securing this fuel diversification technology, HHI aims to continue leading the development of eco-friendly marine engines and support the decarbonization of shipping worldwide.
About HD Hyundai Heavy Industries – Engine & Machinery Division
HD Hyundai Heavy Industries is a global leader in marine engine technology, supplying advanced engines for shipping companies worldwide. The HiMSEN dual-fuel engine platform supports a range of fuels, including LNG, methanol, and now ethanol, enabling shipowners to adopt low- and zero-carbon fuels while maintaining operational efficiency.