Singapore-based Eastern Pacific Shipping has exercised an option connected with an order for 5 × 15,000-teu boxships placed in November 2017, and requested another six vessels. All 11 engines involved in the order will be powered by MAN B&W-branded two-stroke engines.
MAN Energy Solutions reports that the first five engines will be conventional MAN B&W 11G90ME-C units equipped with scrubbers that are due for delivery between 2019-2020. The additional six units will be built as MAN B&W 11G90ME-GI dual-fuel configurations operating on LNG with delivery dates scheduled between 2020-2022. Each of the 11 neo-Panamax boxships will be constructed at Hyundai Samho Heavy Industries (HSHI).
Each of the 6 × ME-GI engines will feature MAN Energy Solutions’ new pump vaporizer unit (PVU), an innovative, low-cost pump unit for the supply of LNG to the ME-GI engines.
MAN Energy Solutions reports that it has over 200 ME-GI units on its order books or already in service, with references in every major marine segment, and that the engine can rightly be considered as mature technology. The ME-GI continues to act as a standard bearer for environmentally friendly, reliable propulsion technology with its seamless switching between fuels and elimination of methane slip.
The company also states that it has confirmed 250+ sales within its entire portfolio of dual-fuel engines – all running on LNG or other, clean fuels such as LPG and methanol – testament to its leadership within this critical market segment.
About the PVU
MAN Energy Solutions has developed the PVU as a standardised, compact, high-quality pump unit for the supply of LNG to MAN B&W two-stroke ME-GI engines.
The PVU is designed to pressurise and vaporise the required fuel to the pressure and temperature required by the ME-GI engine. The gas pressure is controlled by control of hydraulic flow to the pump. The separate control of the three pump heads provides full redundancy and is secured by a control system with safety functions and a high degree of integration with the ME-GI engine.