IBI have been exploring in detail how yacht builders and engine OEMs are approaching alternative fuels, and the latest developments highlight a clear tension between technology and infrastructure.
Rolls-Royce has unveiled the mtu 12V2000M96Z, a 12-cylinder yacht engine producing 2,222hp. The design offers more power without added bulk, thanks to upgraded turbochargers and internals, and it can already run on HVO (hydrogenated vegetable oil). HVO is now widely available in ports and offers up to 90% CO₂ reduction, making it the most practical alternative fuel for owners today.
Looking further ahead, Rolls-Royce is investing in methanol engines, but Senior VP Denise Kurtulus notes that supply and distribution remain limited. Green methanol, produced with renewable energy, is seen as the long-term solution, but volumes are not yet sufficient for mass adoption.
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Sanlorenzo has reached the same conclusion. Its new 50X-Space superyacht will be methanol-ready, but the launch has been pushed back from 2027 to 2029 to allow time for refuelling infrastructure to catch up.
The message is clear: the engines are here, the fuels are coming, but the docks aren’t ready yet.
Read the full story at IBI: Methanol and hydrogen engines ‘too early’ for infrastructure?
