Rolls-Royce has successfully tested the world’s first high-speed marine engine powered entirely by methanol, marking a major milestone in the global transition toward cleaner shipping fuels. The breakthrough, announced on 27 October 2025, positions methanol as a viable alternative to conventional marine fuels and underscores the company’s commitment to advancing sustainable propulsion technologies.
The test was conducted at Rolls-Royce’s Friedrichshafen facility in Germany as part of the meOHmare research project, a collaboration with Woodward L’Orange and WTZ Roßlau, funded by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action. The project has been underway since 2023, with the goal of developing a CO₂-neutral marine engine concept based on green methanol by the end of 2025.
Methanol is increasingly viewed as a promising marine fuel because it can be produced from renewable sources, stored and transported safely, and used in existing infrastructure with relatively minor modifications. Unlike heavy fuel oil, methanol combustion produces significantly lower emissions of sulfur oxides, nitrogen oxides, and particulate matter, while offering the potential for net-zero carbon emissions when derived from renewable feedstocks.
Dr. Jörg Stratmann, CEO of Rolls-Royce Power Systems AG, described the achievement as a “genuine world first”, noting that no other high-speed engine in this performance class has yet run exclusively on methanol. He emphasized that the development reflects Rolls-Royce’s strategy to invest in future-proof propulsion systems that align with international decarbonization targets for the maritime sector.
The engine is expected to be particularly suitable for ferries, supply vessels, and yachts, where operators are under growing pressure to reduce emissions in line with International Maritime Organization (IMO) regulations. Industry analysts suggest that methanol could become a key transitional fuel for shipping, bridging the gap between today’s fossil-based operations and tomorrow’s fully renewable solutions.
The successful test comes as the shipping industry faces mounting scrutiny over its environmental footprint, with maritime transport responsible for nearly 3% of global greenhouse gas emissions. By pioneering methanol-based propulsion, Rolls-Royce is positioning itself at the forefront of efforts to decarbonize one of the world’s most challenging sectors.
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Sources: Rolls-Royce Press Release; Hydrocarbon Processing; Interesting Engineering.
