Everllence has announced the completion of an R&D test for what it says is the world's first B&W G80 ME-LGIMe (liquid gas injection—ethanol) engine, conducted at HD Hyundai Heavy Industries' Engine & Machinery Division (HHI-EMD) in Korea.

The engine is destined for the third vessel in a series of 10 very large ore carriers (VLOCs) ordered by Shandong Shipping for charter to Brazilian mining and logistics operator Vale, with vessel delivery scheduled for early 2027.

The G80 ethanol engine is derived from Everllence's existing B&W ME-LGIM methanol platform and is configured as a tri-fuel unit capable of operating on fuel oil, methanol, ethanol, or any blend of the latter two fuels. The project follows a cooperation agreement signed by Everllence and Vale in February 2026 for the development of an advanced ethanol-powered marine engine.

Bjarne Foldager, Head of Two-Stroke Business at Everllence, stated: "This marks a major milestone for the G80 engine platform, transforming it into a fully flexible tri-fuel engine capable of operating on fuel oil, methanol, ethanol, or any blend of the latter two. The project reflects our shared commitment with Vale regarding pragmatic and scalable decarbonisation pathways within the hard-to-abate shipping sector, and positions Vale at the forefront of maritime sustainability. By selecting the G80 tri-fuel engine, Vale is advancing its strategy to reduce emissions across its maritime logistics chain while maintaining operational robustness in what are currently demanding conditions for low-carbon fuels."

Christian Ludwig, Vice President and Head of Global Sales & Promotion for the Two-Stroke Business at Everllence, commented: "The G80 ethanol engine is based on the proven B&W ME-LGIM platform. It represents the latest evolution of Everllence's two-stroke dual-fuel engines, designed to enable shipowners to transition seamlessly towards lower-emission fuels without compromising operational efficiency, reliability, or safety. In general, interest in ethanol as a marine fuel has increased over the past five years as multi-fuel capability increases shipowner flexibility. We foresee the core demand for this engine coming from bulk carriers, tankers, and container vessels. With over 250 methanol engine orders under our belt already, of which more than 100 are in service, Everllence is the leading engine designer for methanol- and ethanol-fuelled engines."