First LPG-powered dual-fuel engine receives order MAN B&W ME-LGIP with high-pressure SCR for VLGCs
Hanjin Heavy Industries has announced that it will construct 2 × VLGCs (Very Large Gas Carriers) in their Philippines Facilities for EXMAR, the Belgian integrated gas shipping company. The 80,000 m3 newbuildings will each be powered by an individual MAN B&W 6G60ME-LGIP Mk9.5 engine.
MAN Diesel & Turbo reports that the VLGCs have chosen LPG as a fuel option so they can comply with the new IMO sulphur-emission legislation due to enter force in 2020. Engine delivery to the yard has been scheduled for December 2019. Upon construction, the carriers will be chartered by Statoil.
Bjarne Foldager – Vice President Sales & Promotion, Two-Stroke Business at MAN Diesel & Turbo – said: “Interest in using LPG as a fuel, outside of the LPG carrier segment, is growing due to its sulphur-free character, free availability and ease of bunkering. In gas mode, we expect the ME-LGIP engine to operate on just 3% pilot oil and down to 10% load. Ultimately, we expect the engine to operate without the need for pilot oil.”
MAN Diesel & Turbo reports that the ME-LGIP engine has experienced a circa 10% reduction in CO2 and circa 90% reduction in particulate matter when running on LPG, compared with MDO.
With this commitment, 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. MAN Diesel & Turbo further reports that it expects ME-LGIP installation aboard merchant vessels to be extremely competitive price-wise, compared to other, dual-fuel-burning engine types.
Due to ever more stringent emission limits, many LPG carrier operators called for MAN Diesel & Turbo to develop an LPG-fuelled engine that could power LPG carriers in the most viable, convenient and economical way using a fraction of the cargo already onboard.
LPG is an eminently environmentally-friendly fuel, in much the same class as liquefied natural gas (LNG), and an LPG-fuelled engine will significantly reduce emissions, enabling vessels to meet the stringent IMO SOx emission regulations due to come into force globally from 2020.
LPG’s future as a viable fuel for general marine transportation looks promising as it will not require as large an investment in infrastructure – such as bunkering facilities – 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.
About Exmar
Based in Belgium and with a global network, EXMAR is a specialised maritime logistics company that offers energy solutions to the oil and gas industry. Its mission is to serve customers with innovations in the field of offshore extraction, transformation, production, storage and transportation by sea of liquefied natural gases, petrochemical gases and liquid hydrocarbons.