The solutions available for methanol engines and retrofit packages are growing, but there are still financial concerns about their viability.

April will see MAN Energy Solutions fire up its 4-stroke seven-cylinder 51/60 test engine in Augsburg configured for methanol combustion. Type approval is expected in Q3 2025, followed shortly after by a first pilot installation, the details of which are being finalised.

As a retrofit, the MAN 51/60R-DF-M engine will have low-pressure, pre-mixed (Otto) combustion via the installation of a port fuel injection (PFI) system. This injection system is simpler and more robust than the high-pressure diesel direct injection based on diffusive (Diesel) combustion that will be used for new-built engines like the MAN L/V 32/44CR MeOH ready or the MAN 49/60. It will have an operating pressure of a maximum of 50 bar compared to 800-1,000 bar for the high-pressure injection.