MAN Energy Solutions has won the order to supply the world’s first, low-speed, dual-fuel engine to run on methanol within the container segment.
Specifically, Hyundai (HMD) will construct the 2,100-teu vessel in Korea for Maersk, while HHI-EMD will build the MAN B&W 6G50ME-LGIM. The engine will be Tier III-compliant.
Upon launch, the newbuilding will become the first, methanol-powered vessel that doesn’t carry methanol as cargo.
Maersk has also announced that it expects the new vessel to be powered by green methanol with bio-fuel employed as pilot oil. The vessel is set to enter service in 2023 and will sail in the network of Sealand Europe, the Baltic shipping route between Nortern Europe and the Bay of Botnia.
Tests on the engine, when running on methanol, have recorded the same or a slightly better efficiency compared to conventional, HFO-burning engines.
MAN developed the ME-LGI engine in response to interest from the shipping world in operating on alternatives to heavy fuel oil.
Methanol carriers have already operated at sea for many years using the engine, and, as such, the ME-LGIM has a proven trackrecord offering great reliability in combination with high fuel-efficiency
said the company.
