WinGD will launch the first ethanol-fuelled two-stroke marine engine in 2026, offering a low-carbon alternative for global shipping.
Swiss marine power specialist WinGD has announced plans to introduce the first ethanol-fuelled two-stroke marine engine in 2026, marking a significant milestone in the maritime industry’s transition toward low-carbon fuels. Deliveries for both newbuild vessels and retrofit applications are expected to begin in 2027, following a decade of dedicated research into ethanol as a viable marine fuel. This development builds upon WinGD’s successful introduction of a methanol-fuelled engine, which uses the same fundamental combustion concept and adheres to the same rigorous safety standards as the upcoming ethanol engine.
The new ethanol engine will be derived from WinGD’s X DF-M methanol engine platform, which has received positive feedback from early users as well as approvals from various class societies. Maintaining the diesel-cycle framework familiar across WinGD’s full range of bore sizes, the ethanol variant will feature an adapted fuel control system and injector nozzle configuration. These modifications account for ethanol’s higher energy density and the lower fuel volumes it requires compared to traditional marine fuels.
WinGD’s ethanol research dates back to 2014, initially supported by the Swiss Federal Office of Energy. Early investigations explored the fuel’s combustion and emissions characteristics, which are broadly similar to those of methanol. In 2016, WinGD further advanced its work by leading the EU-funded HERCULES 2 project, which focused on developing flexible fuel injectors suitable for alcohol-based fuels. Ethanol’s potential as a renewable energy source—produced from biomass—and its competitive pricing in certain national markets have driven growing interest in its adoption for marine applications.
Sebastian Hensel, VP of R&D at WinGD, emphasized the significance of this achievement: “This announcement underscores the depth and strength of our research programme. Our early investigations into ethanol were instrumental in the successful development of the X DF-M methanol engine, and now both fuel pathways are facilitating the rapid commercialisation of the first ethanol-fuelled two-stroke engine. As stricter global emission regulations come into effect, we are pleased to offer ship owners and operators an additional low-carbon alternative.”
WinGD is actively engaging with ship owners, ethanol suppliers, and class societies to explore the first commercial deployments of the ethanol engine. The company will later confirm whether the engine will be optimized exclusively for ethanol or designed primarily for methanol with secondary ethanol capability. Additionally, WinGD recently became a founding member of the Global Ethanol Association, aiming to strengthen connections across the ethanol value chain.
Hensel concluded: “With our extensive experience and ongoing commitment to ethanol as a marine fuel, ship owners can trust that our ethanol engine will deliver the same robust performance, efficiency, and reliability that characterizes WinGD’s existing dual-fuel engines.”
