WinGD to launch world’s first ethanol-fuelled two-stroke marine engine

Swiss marine power company WinGD will introduce the first ethanol-fuelled two-stroke engine in 2026, with deliveries for both newbuilds and retrofits starting in 2027. The move builds on a decade of ethanol research, including full-scale engine tests in 2018, and follows the successful launch of WinGD’s methanol-fuelled X-DF-M engine.

The new ethanol engine will be adapted from the X-DF-M platform, maintaining the same diesel-cycle combustion concept and safety regulations. Key modifications include a revised control system and injector nozzle design to manage ethanol’s higher energy density and reduced fuel volumes.

WinGD began exploring ethanol in 2014 with support from the Swiss Federal Office of Energy and advanced alcohol-fuel injection technology under the EU’s HERCULES 2 project in 2016. Ethanol, like methanol, can be produced renewably and is already competitively priced in several markets, making it an attractive decarbonisation option.

“This announcement is further evidence of the strength of our research programme,” said Sebastian Hensel, WinGD VP R&D. “Our early ethanol explorations were crucial to the methanol engine’s success, and now both are enabling rapid commercialisation of ethanol as a marine fuel.”

WinGD is in talks with ship owners, ethanol suppliers and class societies regarding first applications, and has also joined the newly founded Global Ethanol Association to support value chain development.

Hensel added: “Ship owners can be confident we will deliver robust, efficient and reliable ethanol engines on par with our proven dual-fuel portfolio.”