HAV Design is the technical partner as Brazilian CBO carries out the world’s first retrofit of a large marine engine to run on both diesel and ethanol. The project represents an important breakthrough in efforts to reduce emissions in the offshore industry and marks a new chapter in the maritime energy transition.
A global pilot project with Brazilian roots
At Nor-Shipping 2025 in Oslo, CBO announced that it will convert one of the engines on an offshore vessel to run on approximately 40% ethanol in combination with diesel. The project is the first in the world where a MaK M 32 C engine is being retrofitted to operate on a fixed blend of diesel and ethanol and will be financed by Fundo da Marinha Mercante (FMM) in Brazil, being the first R&D project to have financing approved by the institution.
The conversion is expected to take place on one of the company’s six HAV 843 anchor handlers, built between 2017 and 2018. These vessels are among the newest of their class worldwide and are now serving as platforms for testing technologies aimed at reducing emissions.
According to CBO’s Innovation Coordinator, André Trintini, this represents a groundbreaking step:
“The retrofit approach allows us to test new technology under real operating conditions without reducing vessel availability. It provides a practical and immediate path to lower emissions in the offshore sector.”
HAV Design’s technical responsibility
HAV Design is leading the technical solutions in the project and is working closely with the shipowner, classification society, and suppliers to ensure safe and efficient implementation.
“Our task is to find the best technical solutions for the conversion while also laying the groundwork for such systems to be adopted on a larger scale,” says Jan Magne Goksøyr, Vice President Sales at HAV Design.
Senior Designer Kenneth Hjelmseth emphasizes that the project aligns with the company’s long-term strategy:
“We develop systems that enable the safe and flexible use of alternative fuels. Ethanol is particularly relevant in Brazil, but the lessons we learn here have global value.”
Senior Designer Kenneth Hjelmseth emphasizes that ethanol is particularly relevant in Brazil, but that the knowledge can be applied globally. For him, the project is about combining safety and flexibility in facing the fuels of the future.
From pilot to global relevance
The project demonstrates that emission reductions can be achieved in existing fleets—without waiting for newbuilds. The experience gained can later be transferred to other fuel types, giving the technology broad application in an industry facing strict climate requirements.
For HAV Design, the project strengthens expertise in alternative energy solutions and confirms the company’s role as an innovation partner for global players. Collaboration with CBO, Caterpillar/MaK, and Sotreq shows that the company can deliver solutions that meet both commercial and regulatory requirements.
Next steps
The system is scheduled to be in operation in 2027, following extensive installation, testing, and certification. Results are expected to deliver a CO₂ reduction of 15–20% per engine when operating with approximately 40% ethanol.
An important factor is access to Brazilian ethanol, which has one of the lowest carbon footprints in the world. When produced from genetically improved sugarcane with second-generation technology, lifecycle emissions can be reduced by up to 90%.
Thanks to continuous innovations in Brazil’s sugarcane industry — both in crop development and production processes — this solution does not compromise food security nor require additional land to support a potential increase in ethanol demand.
Jan Magne Goksøyr, Vice President Sales at HAV Design, sees the ethanol project as a milestone in the company’s efforts toward green transition.
A milestone for HAV Design
For HAV Design, the project represents a milestone and a clear positioning in the green maritime transition. The experiences from Brazil will not only showcase the company’s technological competence but also serve as a demonstration of how existing vessels can play a new role in the energy transition.
“We see this as the beginning of broader work to develop solutions that can accelerate maritime decarbonization. For us, it’s about combining innovation and practical solutions that can be applied here and now,” says Goksøyr.