MAN PrimeServ Wins Chinese DF Retrofit Contract

The conversions of the individual MAN B&W 6G60ME-C engines aboard the Gas Gemini and Gas Aquarius to dual-fuel MAN B&W 6G60ME-LGIP units capable of running on LPG will be carried out at the COSCO Shipping Heavy Industry (Guangdong) yard. The two vessels will be retrofitted in parallel, beginning 30 May 2023.

The contract signing comes in the wake of Oslo-listed BW LPG – the world’s leading owner and operator of LPG vessels – announcing in June 2022 that it, under MAN PrimeServ’s supervision, had converted the main engine of the BW Malacca to dual-fuel running. The last such conversion for a series of 15 LPG carriers, all work was carried out at Yiu Lian Dockyards in Shenzhen, evidence of China’s ability to successfully execute such retrofits.

The contract was commended by Tao Guohua – Vice President, CSSC Marine Power Group, who said: “Hearty congratulations to Southwest Maritime on the LGIP conversion contract signing between MAN Energy Solutions and CMS. I do believe that the emerging engine-retrofit market will be a new area for MAN Energy Solutions to strengthen the existing close cooperation between us. We are also keenly looking forward to building a strategic cooperation with MAN Energy Solutions in this market and to further extend our cooperation into more portfolios.”

Per Rud, Senior Vice President, MAN PrimeServ, spoke about the importance of developing partnerships to execute successful dual-fuel retrofit projects, and said: “We treat every project on a case-to-case basis but this particular instance is notable in that it represents the first time that we are collaborating on a retrofit project with a licensee’s own after-sales division. I feel that it is important for the after-sales market to be aware that MAN PrimeServ is open to working with all partners in order to support shipowners globally. The successful negotiations with CMS have strengthened our partnership and both parties are more than satisfied with the result.”