Navigator Gas has contracted Everllence PrimeServ to retrofit the Navigator Nova and Navigator Prominence with ME-GIE ethane-running technology, building on eight years of operational experience with the Navigator Aurora. The conversions will be carried out by COSCO Shipping Heavy Industries at its Nantong yard starting in March 2027. This strategic upgrade enhances fleet fuel flexibility, reduces immediate CO2 emissions, and supports long-term decarbonization goals in the gas carrier sector.
Copenhagen, Denmark | September 14, 2026 – Building on nearly a decade of reliable operational history, liquefied-gas shipping major Navigator Gas has signed a new contract with Everllence PrimeServ, the after-sales division of Everllence, to retrofit two additional vessels for ethane-running capability.
The new agreement follows eight years of proven performance from the Navigator Aurora, which underwent a pioneering identical conversion back in 2018.
Technical Scope and Yard Execution
Under the terms of the project, two sister liquefied-gas carriers, the Navigator Nova and the Navigator Prominence, will be upgraded.
- Current Machinery: Both vessels are currently equipped with individual Everllence B&W 6S50ME-GI Mk8.2 engines.
- The Upgrade: The powerplants will be retrofitted into ME-GIE (Gas Injection Ethane) units operating under strict IMO Tier II compliance.
- Yard Partnership: COSCO Shipping Heavy Industries (CSHI) has been selected to execute the physical yard work at its Nantong facility in China.
- Timeline: The first vessel conversion is scheduled to kick off in March 2027, with Everllence PrimeServ managing and executing the full engine retrofit scope.
Leadership Perspectives on Fleet Decarbonization
The deal highlights a pragmatic strategy for shipowners balancing immediate emissions reductions with long-term alternative fuel pathways.
Kaj Pilemand, Director of Vessel Operations at Navigator Gas, emphasized the value of real-world operational data “Eight years of operational experience with Navigator Aurora have given us strong confidence in the ME-GIE solution and the value it brings to our fleet. Converting Navigator Nova and Navigator Prominence is a natural next-step… Retrofitting existing vessels with more efficient and fuel-flexible technology enables us to reduce CO₂ emissions now, extend the relevance of our existing fleet and make meaningful progress towards our decarbonisation goals.”
Pilemand added that the company is simultaneously preparing its future fleet for lower- and zero-carbon options, balancing active fleet optimization with forward-looking investments.
Michael Petersen, Senior Vice President and Head of PrimeServ Denmark at Everllence, welcomed the continuation of the partnership “Navigator Gas returning to us for two additional engine upgrades is a hugely positive acknowledgement of our expertise in supporting customers’ operational desire for fuel flexibility. Our proven and experienced upgrade platform offers fuel flexibility across a wide range of vessel segments, enabling the supply of cost-effective compliant fuel in an ever-changing market for shipowners.”
Strategic Significance for the Ethane Segment
Industry watchers note that this repeat order validates standardized upgrade platforms as a cost-efficient route for shipowners navigating shifting environmental regulations. By leveraging standardized vessel designs and proven ME-GI conversion concepts, the project delivers a scalable framework that enhances fuel flexibility and operational adaptability across the gas carrier segment.
About Everllence
Headquartered in Germany, Everllence is a global leader in marine propulsion, decarbonization, and industrial energy systems. The company employs 15,000 people across more than 140 sites globally. Its extensive portfolio includes advanced dual-fuel engines, climate-neutral fuel retrofits, carbon capture systems, industrial heat pumps, and large-scale green hydrogen technologies through its subsidiary Quest One. Global after-sales support is managed via its dedicated service arm, Everllence PrimeServ.
About Navigator Gas
Navigator Gas is a leading global shipping company that owns and operates the world’s largest fleet of handysize liquefied gas carriers, providing essential seaborne transportation for liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), petrochemical gases like ethylene and ethane, and ammonia. Through its modern fleet of sophisticated vessels, including those integrated following its merger with Ultragas, the company acts as a vital “floating pipeline” connecting energy companies, industrial users, and commodity traders worldwide. Alongside its maritime fleet, Navigator also holds a 50% stake in an ethylene export marine terminal at Morgan’s Point on the Houston Ship Channel, reinforcing its prominent role in the global liquefied gas supply chain.
Source: Everllence