LPG retrofit order marks MAN engine launch

The contract with the Oslo-listed ship owner involves the retrofitting of four MAN B&W 6G60ME-C9.2 HFO-burning engines to 6G60ME-C9.5-LGIP LPG-propelled dual-fuel engines, plus options for further retrofits in the future. Pontus Berg, senior vice president of technical and operations, BW LPG, told The Motorship that the company has identified a further 15 very large gas carriers in its fleet that would be suitable for LPG-burning engines.

Wayne Jones, chief sales officer, MAN Energy Solutions, said: “The arrival of this order, even before the official launch of the ME-LGIP engine itself, is a sign of how timely the technology is. We expected a strong demand for the engine from very large gas carriers and it has proven to be so. When you add in MAN Energy Solutions’ entire portfolio of dual-fuel engines, we have now confirmed almost 400 projects, all running on clean fuels such as LNG and LPG. This stands as testament to our leadership within this critical market segment.”

Berg added: “The signing of the contracts is a culmination of years of cooperation between two companies invested in a cleaner future. BW LPG is proud to have worked alongside MAN Energy Solutions on this project, developing the world’s first LPG-propelled dual-fuel engine that will help reduce the environmental footprint of the maritime industry by using fuel that has a greener emissions profile, including an inherent compliance with all current and future sulphur-oxide emissions regulations.”

NOTE: The Motorship is in Copenhagen for the demonstration of MAN’s first LPG-fuelled two-stroke engine today. Find us on Twitter for news throughout the day, and read The Motorship’s October print issue for a full report.