Copenhagen, Denmark — 27 October 2025 – Everllence has completed the world’s first methanol dual-fuel conversion of an S90 two-stroke marine engine, marking a significant step toward large-scale decarbonisation in global shipping. The retrofit was performed on COSCO Shipping Lines’ 20,000+ TEU containership COSCO Shipping Libra, converting its 11S90ME-C main engine into an 11S90ME-LGIM (Liquid Gas Injection Methanol) configuration.
The project follows a successful series of sea trials, confirming the operational readiness and performance of the retrofitted system under real-world conditions.
Partnership and Execution
The milestone retrofit was executed through close collaboration between Everllence PrimeServ, the company’s after-sales division, and COSCO Shipping Heavy Industry (CHI). The partnership covered all aspects of the project, from concept design and engineering to installation, commissioning, and sea-trial validation.
To ensure technical reliability, Everllence invested in a dedicated 4S90 testbed engine in Japan, commissioned in early 2025. This facility was used to validate methanol combustion performance on the S90 platform, providing data that accelerated the successful execution of the retrofit.
Industry Significance
“This achievement demonstrates both the technical feasibility and commercial viability of large-scale methanol retrofits,” said Michael Petersen, Senior Vice President and Head of Everllence PrimeServ, Denmark.
“We are proud to support COSCO Shipping Lines and COSCO Shipping Heavy Industry in this significant step toward decarbonising global shipping. The conversion of the S90-class engine provides a clear pathway for reducing emissions across the fleet and proves that major conversions can be achieved safely and efficiently.”
Petersen noted that Everllence has already completed 26 dual-fuel retrofits across different vessel classes and is preparing for an even larger number of conversions as interest in alternative fuels continues to expand.
Expanding Retrofit Potential
Everllence stated that more than 300 vessels worldwide currently operate with S90-class engines, making them potential candidates for methanol retrofits. The success of the COSCO Shipping Libra conversion demonstrates the scalability of such projects for large-bore engines.
Petersen added:
“The journey toward full decarbonisation will require collaboration across the entire maritime value chain. This project proves that technically sound, economically viable solutions are already available to accelerate the transition to cleaner propulsion.”
Partners in the Retrofit
COSCO Shipping Lines, one of the world’s largest container shipping companies, has emphasized sustainability as a core operational focus. Its fleet renewal strategy includes adopting alternative fuels, implementing energy-efficient systems, and adopting green supply-chain practices. The COSCO Shipping Libra retrofit aligns with the company’s commitment to carbon reduction and long-term operational sustainability.
Meanwhile, COSCO Shipping Heavy Industry (CHI) played a key role in engineering and executing the retrofit. With nine modern subsidiary shipyards, over 2,500 professional designers, and 10,000 technical specialists, CHI continues to advance intelligent shipbuilding technologies and green innovation within its operations.
The S90 methanol retrofit is expected to serve as a reference project for future large-bore conversions, representing a new stage in maritime energy transition.
