MAN Diesel & Turbo’s new 7G80ME-C9.2 type diesel engines
Athens-based shipmanagement concern Almi Tankers will be the first to fit MAN Diesel & Turbo’s new 7G80ME-C9.2 type diesel engines on two of its newbuilding VLCCs.
The engines will be built by Hyundai Heavy Industries in South Korea with test bed running scheduled for January 2013. The vessels will be built at DSME, with delivery due in May and December 2013 respectively.
MAN Diesel & Turbo said that it is also currently involved in several, active VLCC projects where the G80ME-C9.2 is the preferred engine choice. This vessel type was originally the primary target behind the introduction of the G80ME-C9.2 engine, the company explained.
The shipping industry is currently debating whether, or not, a VLCC service speed should be reduced to 13 knots from the existing 15 to 15.5 knots, a scenario which the G80 is tailor-made to meet, MAN claimed.
Ole Grøne, MAN’s senior vice president low-speed promotion & sales said: “Traditionally, super long-stroke S-type engines, with relatively low engine speeds, have been applied as prime movers in tankers. Following the efficiency optimisation trends in the market, the possibility of using even larger propellers has been thoroughly evaluated with a view to using engines with even lower speeds for propulsion of particularly VLCCs”.
He continued: “VLCCs may be compatible with propellers with larger propeller diameters than the current designs and thus high efficiencies following an adaptation of the aft hull design to accommodate the larger propeller. The new ultra long stroke G80ME-C9.2 engine type meets this trend in the VLCC market.”
It is estimated that the new designs offer potential fuel-consumption savings of some 4-7%, and a similar reduction in CO2 emissions. Simultaneously, the engine itself can achieve a high thermal efficiency using the latest engine process parameters and design features.
Source: Tanker Operator
