Rolls-Royce has tested what it says is the world's first high-speed marine engine powered exclusively by methanol at its facility in Friedrichshafen, Germany.

The test forms part of the meOHmare research project, a collaboration between Rolls-Royce, injection system specialist Woodward L'Orange, and the WTZ Roßlau technology centre. The project is funded by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy.

"This is a genuine world first," said Dr. Jörg Stratmann, CEO of Rolls-Royce Power Systems AG. "To date, there is no other high-speed engine in this performance class that runs purely on methanol."

The company said the project aligns with its strategy to reduce CO2 emissions and expand its marine business. The meOHmare project aims to develop a concept for a CO2-neutral marine engine based on green methanol by the end of 2025.

According to Rolls-Royce, methanol presents engineering challenges as the liquid alcohol does not ignite spontaneously, unlike diesel, requiring new injection technology.

"We have fundamentally redesigned the combustion process, the turbocharging, and the engine control system — and even adapted our test bench infrastructure," said Dr. Johannes Kech, Head of Methanol Engine Development at Rolls-Royce Power Systems. "Initial tests show that the engine is running smoothly — now it's time for fine-tuning."

The company said the single-fuel methanol engine could appeal to operators of ferries, yachts, or supply vessels seeking to reduce their carbon footprint. Rolls-Royce is also developing a dual-fuel concept that can use both methanol and diesel.

Denise Kurtulus, Senior Vice President Global Marine at Rolls-Royce, commented: "With this successful test run, we are sending a clear signal: green methanol is a future-oriented fuel — and the technology for it is here ... The task now is to create the framework conditions for wider use."

Rolls-Royce stated that green methanol — which is produced using electricity from renewable energies in a power-to-X process — operates as CO2-neutral, is biodegradable and easy to store, and produces fewer pollutants compared to other sustainable fuels.

"For us, methanol is the fuel of the future in shipping — clean, efficient, and climate-friendly," Kurtulus said. "It burns with lower emissions than fossil fuels and has a high energy density compared to other sustainable energy sources."