Rolls-Royce received a methanol readiness certificate for its 4000 series engine. The certificate was presented at the first Maritime Business Forum in Hamburg.
In the run-up to SMM, Rolls-Royce has received a methanol readiness certificate for its mtu 4000 series engines. The certificate was presented at the first Maritime Business Forum in Hamburg.
Rolls-Royce has received the Methanol Readiness Certificate for its current mtu Series 4000 engines from the international classification society DNV. In doing so, DNV has endorsed the technological concept that will enable newly built Rolls-Royce marine propulsion systems to be retrofitted for dual-fuel operation with methanol in future.
“The uncertain development of CO₂ legislation is increasing the desire among many ship operators for greater flexibility in terms of propulsion and fuel. With the Methanol-Ready certificate, we are giving our customers the assurance that they will be able to operate their ships on methanol in future, as soon as the fuel is sufficiently available,” says Lukas Köhler, Senior Vice President Global Marine & Mining at Rolls-Royce Power Systems.
Back in 2025, Rolls-Royce had already successfully tested the world’s first high-speed marine engine powered exclusively by methanol on the test bench in Friedrichshafen. Since then, the company has completed and analysed more than 5,000 operating hours using methanol in both single- and dual-fuel modes on various test benches.
“These extensive findings form a strong foundation for our methanol retrofit concept,” says Köhler. “We see green methanol as an important future fuel for a wide range of marine applications, particularly for offshore vessels, ferries and mega-yachts. With this certificate, we have reached another milestone on our methanol roadmap.”
According to Rolls-Royce, green methanol produces significantly lower emissions than fossil fuels.
Denise Kurtulus passes the baton
The handover of the certificate took place one day before the start of SMM at the first Maritime Business Forum organised by Rolls-Royce Power Systems. Denise Kurtulus, Head of the global marine and mining business at Rolls-Royce Power Systems, also used the event to pass the baton to her successor, Lukas Köhler.
It was announced in May that Kurtulus had been appointed Chair of the Executive Board of Voith Turbo and a member of the Voith Group Executive Board, with effect from 1 September. She described the position as an offer she could not refuse. She is therefore leaving Rolls-Royce after around 20 years.
