Man Diesel & Turbo's ME-GI engines to power two LNG carriers of Norwegian company
Knutsen OAS Shipping, the Norwegian shipping company, has placed an order for 2 × 2 7G70ME-GI engines in connection with the building of two 176,300 m3 capacity LNG carriers. The specified engines are also based on MAN Diesel & Turbo’s new, ultra-long-stroke, G-type concept to deliver an even higher, overall propulsion plant efficiency, the engines manufacturer said in a press release.
MAN Diesel & Turbo has verified that, even when compared to the best, modern DFDE propulsion solution, an ME-GI engine delivers fuel savings of more than 30 tonnes of gas per day when operating at a normal ship speed of 15-17 knots. To date, MAN Diesel & Turbo has clinched orders for 42 dual-fuel units, representing a power output of 780 MW.
The ME-GI engine represents the culmination of many years’ work. Depending on relative price and availability, as well as environmental considerations, the ME-GI engine gives shipowners and operators the option of using either HFO or gas – predominantly natural gas. An ME-LGI counterpart is also being developed that uses LPG and methanol.
Hyundai became the first MAN Diesel & Turbo two-stroke licensee to demonstrate the ME-GI concept in Korea in late-2012, with Mitsui following in April 2013. At the time, MAN Diesel & Turbo predicted a broad, potential market for its ME-GI engine. Subsequently, the company reported much interest in the engine and has since confirmed several orders from significant market players.
MAN Diesel & Turbo sees significant opportunities arising for gas-fuelled tonnage as fuel prices rise and modern exhaust-emission limits tighten. Indeed, research indicates that the ME-GI engine delivers significant reductions in CO2, NOx and SOx emissions. Furthermore, the ME-GI engine has no methane slip and is therefore the most environmentally friendly technology available. As such, the ME-GI engine represents a highly efficient, flexible, propulsion-plant solution.
About Knutsen
Knutsen OAS Shipping AS is a fully integrated shipping company with headquarters in Haugesund, Norway. Knutsen covers shipping operations, newbuilding supervision, chartering and project development in-house.
The company has a strong focus on technology development that includes its own concepts for Floating Production Storage and Offloading (FPSO) vessels and Liquid Natural Gas (LNG) vessels, as well as arctic LNG carriers. Knutsen is also a world-leading technology developer within systems to reduce emissions of Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC), systems for ballast-water treatment and the marine transportation of compressed natural gas. The latter technology is especially interesting for handling offshore loading and the transport of natural gas and gas volumes from well testing.