Beyond diesel: MAN name change crowns sustainability shift

The new name reflects an emerging focus on technologies contributing to global climate goals (enshrined in the Paris Agreement) and the development of a carbon-neutral economy. It also emphasises the expanded product range that this ambition entails, reaching far beyond MAN’s traditional engine technologies to include hybrid power, energy storage and digital services.

Dr Uwe Lauber (pictured below), chairman of the board, MAN Energy Solutions, noted a further focus on complete systems as opposed to individual technologies. “System technologies that help our customers to increase the efficiency of their plants and reduce emissions are already a significant part of our business,” he said. “We will continue on this path of growth and increasingly become a supplier of complete solutions.”

As a result of the new strategy, sustainable technology is expected to become MAN’s main source of revenue by 2030 across all three sectors in which it operates: shipping, power generation and industrial production. In shipping, MAN advocates a ‘maritime energy transition’ driven by increased use of natural gases as fuel. The company believes these fuels will eventually be generated synthetically from renewable sources using so-called ‘power-to-X’ (or power-to-gas) technology, which MAN is already operating and developing. Alternative drive technologies, including hybrid drives, will also help reduce reliance on heavy-fuel engines.

“The path to decarbonising the maritime economy starts with fuel decarbonisation, especially in container shipping,” said Lauber.

In all sectors, converting energy into economic and social benefits lies at heart of MAN’s business, Lauber explained. “By rebranding as MAN Energy Solutions, we are taking the next logical step and making that focus clear in our company name.”

COMMENT

What’s in a name? For the newly christened MAN Energy Solutions, the answer is – the future. Dropping ‘Diesel’, at a time when ship owners may be considering the same, repositions the company as a sustainable solutions provider. That will be critical as shipping plots its path towards decarbonisation.

This is no mere name change. The company has reaffirmed and refined its vision of how shipping can eliminate emissions – transitioning from diesel through natural gas fuels to renewable, synthetically produced fuels, combined with hybrid drive technologies.

MAN has also set its own target for growing sales of sustainable solutions, to the point where they will represent more than half of the company’s business in 12 years’ time. Given that the MAN marine engines move half the world’s trade in goods, achieving that goal alone will mark a monumental contribution to shipping’s recently agreed decarbonisation ambitions.

NOTE: The Motorship is in Copenhagen to learn more about MAN Energy Solutions’ strategy and vision for the future of ship powering. Keep an eye on our website for more updates and look out for an in-depth report in our July/August print issue.