Germany | September 23, 2025 — In a groundbreaking advancement for marine propulsion and alternative fuel innovation, Everllence has confirmed the successful operation of a two-stroke, ethanol-fuelled ME-LGIM engine — the first of its kind in the world. The 90-bore engine ran seamlessly on ethanol across all load points during testing in Japan, marking a significant leap forward in the industry’s decarbonisation efforts.
This milestone not only showcases ethanol’s viability as a marine fuel but also reinforces Everllence’s long-standing commitment to engineering innovation and low-carbon propulsion technologies.
From Methanol to Ethanol: Expanding the Fuel Frontier
Everllence’s ME-LGIM platform, originally developed for methanol and commercially launched in 2016, has since become the industry’s most widely adopted methanol-burning engine. With more than 225 units ordered and over 50 already in operation across multiple vessel segments, the platform has proven its flexibility, scalability, and operational robustness.
The company has now expanded the platform’s capabilities to include ethanol — another alcohol-based, carbon-reduced fuel — building on years of experience and technical know-how.
Ole Pyndt Hansen, Senior Vice President and Head of Two-Stroke R&D at Everllence, emphasized the significance of the achievement “Market interest in ethanol has grown steadily in recent years, and we’ve been listening closely. Our design work laid the foundation for this breakthrough, and now, with a fully operational engine running on ethanol, we’ve proven what we always believed — that the ME-LGIM platform can support ethanol without compromise. The data confirms it.”
A New Pathway to Decarbonisation
For Everllence, the success of the ethanol-fuelled engine is more than a technological milestone — it is a strategic step toward supporting the shipping industry’s transition to net-zero emissions.
Bjarne Foldager, Head of Two-Stroke Business at Everllence, commented “This is another proud ‘world-first’ for Everllence. We’re drawing on our deep engineering heritage to serve a global industry in urgent need of cleaner propulsion options. With five dual-fuel technologies already in service — and an ammonia engine close to launch — we see ethanol as another critical building block in a flexible, future-proof fuel strategy. But for real progress, regulatory recognition and market demand must follow.”
Foldager also highlighted the company’s broader mission: to deliver adaptable engine technologies that empower shipowners to meet evolving environmental regulations while managing operational and commercial realities.
Retrofit Potential and Fleet-Wide Applicability
The recent trials carry significant implications for existing vessel fleets — particularly those already operating ME-LGIM engines.
Michael Petersen, Senior Vice President and Head of PrimeServ Denmark, noted that ethanol capability may soon be available as a retrofit solution, especially for the S90 engine type “With successful testing behind us, we’re much closer to offering ethanol retrofits — similar to what we’ve done with ME-GI, ME-LGIP, and ME-LGIM solutions. Retrofitting opens a valuable pathway for owners who want to pursue ethanol as part of their decarbonisation strategy without replacing entire propulsion systems. We’re now awaiting further market input on the commercial and operational viability of ethanol — including bunkering infrastructure and fuel sourcing.”
Introducing ethanol into the retrofit portfolio could accelerate the adoption of alternative fuels across a broader share of the global fleet, especially for operators seeking alignment with IMO decarbonisation targets.
Fuel Strategy, Regulation, and the Road Ahead
While the technical success is clear, Everllence acknowledges that widespread adoption will depend on broader ecosystem developments. Ethanol must be recognised by global regulators as a viable marine fuel, and corresponding standards, safety frameworks, and bunkering networks must be established.
Nonetheless, this breakthrough adds another powerful tool to the maritime industry’s clean-fuel arsenal — one that builds on proven technology and can be implemented with a shorter lead time than fuels requiring completely new engine platforms.
As alternative fuel strategies diversify across methanol, LNG, ammonia, hydrogen, and biofuels, ethanol now joins the shortlist of credible contenders with real-world readiness.
Ethanol Enters the Maritime Mainstream
Everllence’s successful ethanol trials underscore a crucial message to the global shipping industry: the future of propulsion lies in flexibility, innovation, and readiness to adapt. With its ME-LGIM engine now proven to operate on both methanol and ethanol, Everllence continues to set the pace for low-carbon engine development — and paves the way for shipowners to navigate the transition with confidence.
About Everllence
Everllence (formerly MAN Energy Solutions) is a global leader in decarbonization and propulsion systems for shipping, energy, and industry. Headquartered in Germany, the company’s portfolio spans advanced engine technology, climate-neutral fuel retrofits, carbon capture, hydrogen systems, and industrial heat pumps. Through its subsidiary Quest One, Everllence also supports green hydrogen production at scale. With 15,000 employees across more than 140 sites worldwide, Everllence’s service arm, Everllence PrimeServ, provides global after-sales support.
Source Everllence