Hapag-Lloyd ordered the world’s first mega-container vessel, MV SAJIR, retrofit to LNG from MAN Energy Solutions. The pilot project will include the conversion of the current HFO-burning engine to a dual-fuel prime mover capable of running on HFO and LNG. The retrofit of MV SAJIR will be done at the Chinese Hudong/HRDD shipyard.
The Hapag-Lloyd pilot project is planned to take place in 2020, when the five-year old vessel will spend 90 days in dock. The gas-storage system will be located in an area equivalent to 350 containers, including the pipework between storage and engine.
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The emission savings for the two-stroke engines are expected to be important when converting an existing HFO engine to LNG. Namely, using LNG in shipping is able to reduce CO2 emissions by 15 to 20% and sulphur dioxide and particulate matter by more than 90%.
Commenting on the project, Wayne Jones OBE – Chief Sales Officer and Member of the Executive Board, MAN Energy Solutions, noted that this is an excellent example for the conversion of a mega-container ship to LNG, while the possible benefits will be significant.
By converting the ‘Sajir’, we will be the first shipping company to retrofit a container ship of this size to LNG propulsion. With this unprecedented pilot, we hope to learn for the future and to pave the way for large ships to be retrofitted to use this alternative fuel
Richard von Berlepsch, Managing Director Fleet Management at Hapag-Lloyd, explains.
