At a time when the maritime sector is searching for practical solutions to reduce emissions and fuel consumption without compromising reliability and operational capability, methanol continues to gain ground not only in marine propulsion but also in onboard auxiliary systems.
It is within this context that the new project announced by Nanni - the long-established multinational manufacturer of marine engines and generator sets - takes shape. The company has developed its first methanol-powered high-speed dual fuel engine in collaboration with ScandiNAOS AB. Founded in 2005 and based in Gothenburg, the Swedish company specialises in naval architecture and sustainable maritime transport systems. ScandiNAOS has been working for years on the integration of alternative fuels, with particular attention to methanol, now considered one of the most practical solutions for reducing emissions in the maritime sector without facing the operational complexities associated with other energy carriers such as hydrogen.
The project is part of the Life Mystic programme and focuses on the development of a technology capable of simultaneously using diesel and methanol on engines derived from the 6-litre John Deere platform intended for marine generator set applications. The stated objective is to contribute to the maritime sector’s energy transition pathway, in line with IMO targets for atmospheric emissions reduction.
The solution developed by Nanni and ScandiNAOS is based on a high-speed dual fuel engine, meaning a marine propulsion unit operating at the high rpm levels typical of yachting and marine gensets while being capable of using both diesel and methanol simultaneously. The system operates with an energy mix consisting of approximately 30% diesel and 70% methanol, a configuration designed to reduce fuel consumption and emissions without compromising reliability or operational continuity.
From a technical standpoint, the core of the project is the conversion kit developed by ScandiNAOS AB, which includes both a dedicated methanol control system and hardware modifications enabling fuel injection within the engine’s supply circuit. One of the most interesting aspects concerns the automatic transition between the two operating modes: when the methanol tank is empty, the engine automatically switches back to diesel operation without interrupting functionality.
According to the two companies, the engine converted to dual fuel configuration has already undergone an initial testing campaign performed according to IACS standards relating to the progressive loading of engines and generator sets, in the presence of a RINA representative. These tests involve progressively subjecting the engine to different load and power levels in order to verify operational stability, continuity of operation, fuel consumption and emissions under various operating conditions.
The results presented show particularly significant data, especially regarding emissions. During testing, the share of energy derived from methanol varied between 50% and 75%, while maintaining full power output in both diesel and dual fuel modes. From an environmental perspective, Nanni reports reductions ranging from 95% to 99% in CO (carbon monoxide) and HC (unburned hydrocarbons) emissions, while NOx — nitrogen oxides, among the main contributors to atmospheric pollution linked to internal combustion engines — were reduced by 65% under most engine load conditions. Particulate matter, namely the solid micro-particles generated during combustion, was also reported to decrease significantly, confirming a cleaner combustion process compared with traditional marine fuels.
The project represents the first high-speed dual fuel engine developed by Nanni and, according to the company, is intended to pave the way for a new generation of marine engines. It is no coincidence that the initial focus has been placed on generator sets: auxiliary systems are currently regarded as one of the most suitable areas for gradually introducing alternative fuels into both the yachting sector and small-to-medium commercial vessels.