Long-term MAN Energy Solutions licensee, Mitsui E&S Machinery, has won another contract to supply the individual MAN B&W 6G50ME-LGIM (-Liquid Gas Injection Methanol) engine for a 65,700 dwt bulk carrier to be built at Tsuneishi Shipbuilding, this being the latest of several methanol-fuelled engines ordered by the bulk-carrier segment in recent weeks.
Sachio Okumura, Representative Director, President and Executive Officer, Tsuneishi Shipbuilding, said: “For Tsuneishi Shipbuilding, which is striving to build methanol-fuelled ships with the aim of becoming a front-runner in next-generation-fuelled ships, securing a high-value-added engine through this contract is an extremely important step. We will continue to focus on technological innovation together with engine manufacturers in order to provide our customers with zero-emission ships that are both environmentally friendly and economical.”
Ichiro Tanaka, President and Representative Director, Mitsui E&S Machinery, said: “Customers are increasingly interested in next-generation fuels, and methanol is one of the promising fuels. We have a track record of manufacturing dual-fuel engines such as LNG-fired engines, and in 2015 delivered the world’s first methanol engine as the main engine for a methanol carrier. Taking advantage of this adoption for bulk carriers, we will continue to meet the various needs of our customers, provide engines that are environmentally friendly and economical, and contribute to the realization of a decarbonised society.”
Bjarne Foldager, SVP and Head of Low-Speed, MAN Energy Solutions, said: “In a market that has seen a rapidly increasing demand for decarbonised transport from its major players, the interest in methanol as a fuel has surged and – at this moment in time – represents more than 30% of all our current, open pipeline projects across a broad range of vessel segments. As such, seeing bulk carriers now also entering this fuel segment is completely in line with our expectations and these newbuildings will benefit greatly from the option to operate either on methanol or conventional fuel with equally high fuel efficiency.”
According to MAN, methanol fuel can be carbon-neutral when produced from renewable energy sources and bio-genic CO2. The production capacity of such green methanol is currently increasing significantly; it is liquid at ambient conditions, which simplifies tank design and minimises costs. MAN Energy Solutions reports that its methanol engine requires a fuel supply pressure of just 13 bar and that a number of manufacturers already offer suitable fuel supply systems.
Peter Quaade, Head of Dual-Fuel Engine Group – Two-Stroke Operations – MAN Energy Solutions, said: “With more than 20 engines installed in vessels already on the water and in excess of 200,000 operational hours on methanol since the first such engine entered service in 2016, provides an already proven and mature technology. In adopting these low-emission engines, Tsuneishi Shipbuilding once again demonstrates its commitment to providing advanced solutions for the benefit of both vessel owners and the environment.”
MAN Energy Solutions developed the ME-LGIM dual-fuel engine for operation on methanol, as well as conventional fuel. The engine is based on the company’s ME-series, with about 8,500 engines in service, and works according to the Diesel principle. MAN developed the ME-LGI engine in response to interest from the shipping world in operating on alternatives to fuel oil in order to reach decarbonisation targets. The ME-LGIM has a track record in methanol carriers, offering reliability and high fuel-efficiency.
