An €80M strategy to tackle dual-fuel demand and regulatory pressures by 2029

OMT SpA, owned by Accelleron, is undertaking a comprehensive expansion across three manufacturing sites. The initiative includes significant upgrades to its main facility in Turin, the development of its newly acquired OMC2 factory in Brescia – which will immediately increase production capacity by 20% – and the construction of a new technology centre in Turin, scheduled to open by mid-2026. The centre will offer 1,200 m2 for testing, assembly and prototyping, plus office space for 100 employees. The Accelleron board has earmarked €27M for this facility. OMT has already increased its workforce by 100 over two years, with plans for 150 more hires in line with increased production volume and complexity.

This growth responds to the shipping industry’s accelerated adoption of alternative fuels to meet International Maritime Organization (IMO) emission targets.

Technical and production challenges

The shift to methanol and ammonia brings significant engineering hurdles, particularly for fuel injection systems, the part of the engine most sensitive to the type of fuel used. These fuels require injection systems that are fully gas- and liquid-tight and made from materials resistant to their corrosive properties. This finds both OMT’s internal research and its partnerships with universities and external experts focused on understanding these new fuels’ behaviour, in contrast to that of conventional fuels. This complexity naturally extends development and manufacturing timelines and demands rigorous quality control.

Tighter regulations – such as the EU’s Emissions Trading System now covering maritime transport and IMO’s 2030 targets – are accelerating shipowners’ investment in dual-fuel technology, even as green methanol and ammonia remain in limited supply.  In fact, about half of all new ship orders now include dual-fuel engines, driving further demand for advanced injection systems. “We only see further increasing demand for dual-fuel systems," says OMT chief executive Klaus Heim. “This represents a mega trend in the maritime industry.”

OMT is also advancing digital injection technology by integrating sensors into injectors, enabling real-time performance monitoring and predictive maintenance. “A digital injector monitors the proper function and performance of the engine. It can give hints to owners about maintenance requirements before problems develop,” says Mr Heim. This aligns with Accelleron’s broader technology strategy and supports integrated monitoring of turbocharging and fuel injection systems, enabling more robust insights for engine performance optimisation.