The Swiss company WinGD announced, after more than a decade of research and development, that in 2026 it will present the world’s first two-stroke marine engine that will operate on ethanol. A fuel that can be produced renewably and constitutes a significant step for the reduction of emissions in shipping.
The existing X-DF-M model, when equipped with special control systems and new fuel injectors, responds to the higher energy density of ethanol. Ethanol has a combustion profile similar to methanol, a fact that allows the use of known and tested solutions. Since 2014, WinGD has invested in experimental applications -initially with the support of the Swiss Federal Office of Energy and subsequently through the European program HERCULES 2- where new flexible injectors for alcohol fuels were developed. This technological base allows today the commercial utilization of ethanol in shipping.
Ethanol can be produced from biomass, making it a renewable and low-carbon solution. Its availability at competitive prices in many markets further enhances the interest. WinGD is already in discussions with shipowners, ethanol fuel suppliers, and classification societies for the first commercial applications.
The new chapter in WinGD’s technology is expected to be detailed in the upcoming “Low-Speed Engines” brochure in early 2026. The first deliveries to new ships and retrofits are expected in 2027.
