The project HERCULES-2 is targeting at a fuel-flexible large marine engine, optimally adaptive to its operating environment. The objectives of the HERCULES-2 project are associated to 4 areas of engine integrated R&D: 1) Improving fuel flexibility for seamless switching between different fuel types, including non-conventional fuels. 2) Formulating new materials to support high temperature component applications. 3) Developing adaptive control methodologies to retain performance over the powerplant lifetime. 4) Achieving near-zero emissions, via combined integrated after treatment of exhaust gases.