MAN Diesel & Turbo informed that Norwegian Knutsen OAS Shipping ordered four 5G70ME-GI engines with EGR systems, in connection with the construction of two 180,000 m3 LNG tanker newbuildings. Upon delivery in 2020, the vessels will transport cargoes worldwide for two Spanish utility companies.
Bjarne Foldager, Vice President Sales & Promotion, Two-Stroke Business at MAN Diesel & Turbo, said that the engine is popular choice for LNG carriers, as it can effectively convert gas fuel to propulsion power.
“These orders are notable in that they are the 6th and 7th such carriers bound for service for Spanish utilities that have been ordered within the past four years alone”, he said.
The new orders stem from Corpus Christi Liquefaction, LLC – a subsidiary of Cheniere Energy – that recently entered into 20-year LNG sale and purchase agreements (SPAs) with the two Spanish utilities. Under the terms of their respective SPAs, the Spanish utilities have agreed to purchase a combined total of over 1 million tonnes per annum of LNG upon the commencement of operations from the LNG export facility currently being developed near Corpus Christi, Texas.