The conversion of one of the engines on the ro-pax vessel Stena Germanica inspired the initial growth of the market for methanol powered vessels, and Wärtsilä continues to expand its engine and service offerings.

The 240-metre ferry Stena Germanica, with a capacity for 1,500 passengers and 300 cars, was retrofitted with a first-of-its-kind Wärtsilä 4-stroke engine that can run on methanol or traditional marine fuels back in 2015. Since then, given the modularity of modern Wärtsilä engines, many can now be upgraded for methanol use, including the Wärtsilä 32 engine, the Wärtsilä 46F diesel engine and Wärtsilä ZA40S 4-stroke engine.