MHI-MME books first order for next-generation marine diesel engine
The first order for UEC50LSH-Eco low-speed marine diesel engine being developed by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Marine Machinery & Engine Co., Ltd. (MHI-MME) was placed with Kobe Diesel Co., Ltd., a licensee of Mitsubishi UE engine technology located in Hyogo, Japan. The advanced low-fuel-consumption engine will ensure high efficiency even during slow steaming, and will be installed on a 35k chemical tanker being built by Shin Kurushima Dockyard Co., Ltd. The first UEC50LSH-Eco engine and chemical tanker are slated for completion in March and October of 2015, respectively.
The UEC50LSH-Eco is the first in a new series of low-speed marine diesel engines that MHI-MME is developing to follow its LSE series. The new series is being developed in response to market demand for engines that offer lower fuel consumption with optimized performance at lower engine speed for slow-steaming, as well as heightened compliance with emission standards.
Based on thorough market research, the new engines will hold significant advantages in fuel efficiency achieving power output and engine speed optimized for bulk carriers (BC) such as Handymax BC, Supramax BC and Ultramax BC vessels, as well as medium size crude oil tankers, chemical tankers, and other similar vessels. In addition, the new series will maximize fuel consumption savings by enabling vessel operators to benefit from the enhanced propulsion efficiency of long-stroke, low-speed engine operation.
Using this first order for a UEC50LSH-Eco engine as a springboard, MHI-MME and its licensees will continue to propose various innovative energy-saving and environmental solutions to enhance seagoing energy efficiency and environmental preservation efforts, and will progressively apply these technological advances to a wide range of new engine products.