MANs high performing dual-fuel methane engine

The orders are divided among two separate, Korean shipyards. Both shipyards have ordered four MAN B&W 8G95ME-GI Mk10.5 main engines and will each construct four Ultra Large Container Ship (ULCS) vessels for an undisclosed Asian owner.

“The ME-GI continues to confirm its status as the maritime industry’s default, dual-fuel, methane-fuelled engine and is capable of running on LNG, synthetic methane and bio-methane,” said Christian Ludwig, head of two-stroke sales and promotion, MAN Energy Solutions

”Furthermore, the latest Mk10.7 ME-GI generation features increased gas-operating pressures to enhance fuel efficiency.”

Keen uptake

Mr Ludwig said that the diesel-cycle combustion concept employed by ME-GI engines optimises fuel consumption in both gas and fuel-oil modes, thereby improving fuel efficiency without the need for complex and unproven designs.

”This is particularly advantageous in gas mode, where methane’s flammability characteristics make the use of the diesel combustion cycle a significant plus,” he said.

MAN Energy Solutions reports that, since its market debut in 2014, the ME-GI has been broadly accepted by all marine segments with orders now well exceeding 900 units.

The keenest interest in the engine has come from the container segment with more than 400 engines ordered, followed by gas and liquid tanker vessels (225+) and car & truck carriers (175+).