Anthony Veder vessel gets in-hull dual fuel retrofit

DECEMBER 1, 2014 — The 6,500 cu.m Anthony Veder LNG/LPG/LEG carrier Coral Anthelia is the commercial marine industry’s first ship to complete an in-hull dual fuel engine retrofit conversion in hull.

The retrofit was performed in under six weeks by Caterpillar Marine and Netherlands Cat dealer Bolier.

The MaK M 43 C diesel engine was retrofitted to the 6 cylinder M 46 dual fuel platform, with each cylinder producing 900 kW of rated power. As a result of performing the retrofit within the hull, no modifications had to be done to the ship’s structure and no docking was required.

With a bore of 460 mm and stroke of 610 mm, the M 46 dual fuel engine was designed for electric drive propulsion systems as well as mechanical propulsion systems. Although designed for unlimited operation on LNG, marine diesel oil and heavy fuel oil, the M 46 DF will reach industry-leading efficiency in gas mode.

The M 46 DF was engineered to allow for the retrofitting of current M 43 C engines. Additionally, existing M 32 C engines can be retrofitted to the MaK M 34 DF dual fuel platform. As a result of the synergies between the two platforms, Caterpillar can perform in hull retrofit conversions without having to move the engine block or perform extensive machining.