Classification society DNV on Thursday (5 February) discussed the development of Everllence’s ME‑LGIA ammonia dual‑fuel engine and unpacked the safety measures applied, emission reduction potential, and early candidate vessel segments:

As the maritime industry accelerates towards decarbonization, the transition to low greenhouse gas fuels is essential. Liquefied natural gas and methanol have led the way, but ammonia is making some strides. With three ammonia-capable ships already in operation and another 45 on order, momentum is building. 

Driving decarbonization with ammonia

Ammonia offers compelling advantages. It is carbon-free at the point of combustion and can significantly reduce overall emissions when produced from renewable sources. Its volumetric energy density makes it suitable for deep-sea shipping, where long voyages demand robust fuel solutions. 

However, adoption is not without hurdles. Ammonia’s high toxicity and corrosive nature require stringent safety measures and specialized handling protocols, far beyond those for conventional fuels. Questions around bunkering infrastructure, crew training, and life-cycle emissions remain critical. Nonetheless, ammonia represents a viable option for the future of shipping if these challenges can be solved.

Engine developers commit to ammonia

As momentum gathers, engine manufacturers are stepping up to develop propulsion systems suited for ammonia.  

WinGD and J-ENG delivered their first dual-fuel two-stroke engines in late 2025, followed by Everllence in early 2026, while Hyundai’s HiMSEN H22CDF-LA four-stroke engine has already achieved multiclass approval. 

Among the vessels on order, seven, including those from shipowners such as Höegh Autoliners and Eastern Pacific Shipping, will feature Everllence’s newly launched two-stroke ammonia engines, rated at 10–15 megawatts.  

Introducing the ME-LGIA ammonia dual-fuel engine

The Everllence ME-LGIA (liquid gas injection ammonia) dual-fuel engine marks a major milestone for zero-carbon propulsion. Based on the diesel principle, the engine employs a liquid gas injection concept, enabling operation on both ammonia and conventional fuels. This flexibility supports shipowners during the transition phase, allowing vessels to switch between fuel types as infrastructure and supply chains mature. 

Hrishikesh Chatterjee, Senior Promotion Manager – Newbuildings at Everllence, explains: “Our ME-LGIA engine is designed to deliver the same reliability and efficiency as our conventional two-stroke engines, while enabling shipowners to take a decisive step towards zero-carbon operations. Safety and digitalization have been at the core of this development.”

Integrated safety barriers and digital connectivity for secure ammonia operations

To address ammonia’s unique safety challenges, Everllence has integrated double-walled piping with continuous ventilation and monitored airflow routed to treatment systems.  

Features such as the ammonia release mitigation system and the ammonia catch system, incorporating a knockout drum and watercolumn scrubbing, help ensure that any leaks are contained and neutralized before they can reach occupied spaces. The fuel valve train, which includes double block and bleed isolation supported by nitrogen purging routines, adds an additional layer of failsafe protection for both crew and vessel. 

Furthermore, the engine is digitally connected, enabling secure real-time data flow from vessels to Everllence’s shore-based monitoring systems. This connectivity supports remote assistance and operational optimization, reducing downtime and improving reliability. 

Engineering effort and extensive testing

The development of the ME-LGIA engine reflects a significant engineering commitment. Since July 2023, Everllence has invested over 150,000 hours in design and validation, conducting more than 800 tests to ensure performance and safety. These tests covered combustion behaviour, emissions profiles, material compatibility, and failure-mode analysis under varying operational conditions. 

The multi-year research and development programme included combustibility investigations, formal hazard identification (HAZID) and hazard and operability (HAZOP) studies, as well as full-scale bunkering and engine trials. “One of the most important lessons learned in the evolution of engine models has been the value of a robust, modular platform as the foundation for innovation,” Chatterjee highlights. “Our ME-C platform has proven to be a trusted and adaptable base for developing advanced dual-fuel technologies, supporting scalable upgrades and systematic dual‑fuel additions, ensuring future upgrades or retrofits.”

Note: The full article by DNV, titled ‘Ammonia technology moves closer to powering deep-sea shipping’, can be found here.

Photo credit: Everllence
Published: 10 February, 2026