MAN Diesel & Turbo announced the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Hyundai Heavy Industries Engine & Machinery Division (HHI-EMD) on the development and production of an LPG dual-fuel engine. Upon completion, HHI-EMD will be able to deliver LPG-fueled, two-stroke-propulsion engines.
The company sees a growing LPG tendency as it has experienced strong market interest in using LPG as a fuel aboard LPG carriers, according to Bjarne Foldager, Vice President Sales & Promotion, Two-Stroke Business at MAN Diesel & Turbo.
“LPG holds great potential as a fuel since it contains no sulphur, is widely available, and easy to bunker. It is therefore becoming an increasingly attractive alternative to other, low-sulphur fuel types. We have a long tradition of technical cooperation with our licensees and we are looking forward to working with Hyundai on this exciting project.”
With the MoU, LPG joins the list of liquid, environmentally-friendly fuels that can power MAN Diesel & Turbo’s portfolio of two-stroke, dual-fuel engines, which are available from all licensees. The company expects the ME-LGIP installation aboard a merchant ship to be extremely competitive price-wise, compared to other, dual-fuel-burning engine types.
LPG is considered an eminently environmentally-friendly fuel, in much the same class as LNG, and an LPG-fueled engine will significantly reduce emissions, enabling vessels to meet the stringent IMO SOx emission regulations due to come into force globally from 2020, MAN suggests.
At the same time, LPG’s future as a viable fuel for marine transportation looks promising as it will not require as large an investment in infrastructure, in contrast to other, gaseous fuels. Accordingly, MAN Diesel & Turbo expects a strong demand for LGIP engines for very large gas carriers (VLGCs) and coastal vessels from their introduction.
