Everllence and Hudong-Zhonghua Shipbuilding have signed an Engineering Design Agreement to develop a 180,000 cbm LNG carrier featuring an innovative DFE+ dual-fuel electric propulsion system. This partnership aims to deliver high-efficiency, lower-emission hybrid-electric solutions to help shipowners meet stringent IMO decarbonization targets.
Copenhagen, Denmark | August 17, 2026 – Everllence has signed an Engineering Design Agreement (EDA) with Hudong-Zhonghua Shipbuilding (Group) Co., Ltd. to jointly develop a 180,000 cubic-metre class Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) carrier equipped with an Everllence DFE+ (Dual-Fuel, Electric+) propulsion system.
The agreement, finalized on June 5, 2026, builds on a prior working relationship that has already delivered 10 conventional Dual-Fuel Diesel Electric (DFDE) LNG carriers. Representatives Yang Chunhua, Technical Centre Deputy Director of Hudong-Zhonghua, and Pan Ke, Head of Sales & Projects, Four-Stroke China for Everllence, formalized the partnership to address tightening International Maritime Organization (IMO) Carbon Intensity Indicator (CII) mandates and long-term decarbonization targets.
Driving Decarbonization Through Collaboration
The initiative aims to deliver higher energy efficiency and lower greenhouse gas emissions for shipowners navigating the industry’s shift toward net-zero operations by 2050.
Song Wei, Chief Technical Engineer at Hudong-Zhonghua, noted that shipowners face unprecedented market challenges regarding regulatory compliance, making the joint development of a high-efficiency hybrid-electric propulsion solution a critical alternative for future fleets.
Echoing this sentiment, Dominik Thoma, Global Manager LNG Cargo at Everllence, emphasized that individual technology providers are reaching marginal limits for efficiency gains, necessitating deeper integration between shipyards and engine designers. By pairing Hudong-Zhonghua’s market leadership in LNG carrier construction with Everllence’s four-stroke engine technology, the partners intend to push marine propulsion performance to the next technical tier.
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.
Source: Everllence