Everllence: Two-stroke ammonia engine poised for maritime debut

A two-stroke ammonia engine manufactured by German marine engine producer Everllence (formerly known as MAN Energy Solutions) is all but ready to hit the maritime industry market.

As disclosed on November 13, Everllence’s dual-fuel ME-LGIA (-liquid gas injection ammonia) engine, which was unveiled for the first time at a recent maritime conference, is now prepared for newbuilding orders.

As noted, the inaugural unit of the ME-LGIA engine is set to be handed over in the first quarter of 2026, with bedding-in scheduled for the end of this year.

According to officials from Everllence, the brand-new engine is based on the diesel principle as well as the dual-fuel liquid gas injection concept, and it offers the same ‘benefits’ as the company’s existing ME-LGIM and ME-LGIP units, which, respectively, run on methanol and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG).

That said, given the particular characteristics that come with ammonia, the new engine reportedly possesses additional safety features, such as containment systems, system ventilation and double-walled piping development specifically engineered for using this alternative fuel source.

“Since two-stroke engine testing on ammonia started in July 2023, we have carried out over 800 tests – both here in Copenhagen and at Mitsui E&S in Japan. All the way through, safety has been our first consideration and we have worked closely with the relevant authorities and classification societies to ensure that the technology meets all demands,” Bjarne Foldager, Head of Two-Stroke Business, Everllence, shared.

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Foldager further revealed that the two-stroke ammonia engines will be digitally connected to allow for ‘secure’ data flow from ships to Everllence’s shore-based monitoring. This is hoped to improve performance, provide remote assistance and, in turn, help shipowners operate in a ‘more efficient’ and more sustainable manner.

The company highlighted that it is currently working on a number of pilot projects with maritime players, including a pair of very large ammonia carriers (VLACs) for Singapore-based shipowner Eastern Pacific Shipping (EPS), four more engines for Norwegian maritime transport company Höegh Autoliners’ pure car and truck carriers (PCTC) and one more for a bulk carrier in Japan where the engine is presently on the Mitsui E&S testbed.

To remind, Everllence had begun testing the full-scale ammonia engine at its Research Centre Copenhagen (RCC) at the very last stretch of 2024.

Back then, Ole Pyndt Hansen, Head of Two-Stroke R&D, MAN Energy Solutions, elaborated that the trial followed more than twelve months of testing a single cylinder running on ammonia and a few months of the conversion process. At the end of January 2025, Everllence ran the engine at 100% load for the first time.