MAN Diesel & Turbo books another ME-GI order

Graphical rendering of the six-cylinder version of MAN Diesel & Turbo's S70ME-GI dual-fuel low-speed engine.

DECEMBER 16, 2013 — Norway’s Knutsen OAS Shipping has placed an order for two sets of two MAN Diesel & Turbo 7G70ME-GI two stroke engines in connection with the building of two 176,300 cu.m capacity LNG carriers.

The engines are based on MAN Diesel & Turbo’s new, ultra-long-stroke, G-type concept to deliver an even higher, overall propulsion plant efficiency.

MAN Diesel & Turbo says it has verified that, even when compared to the best, modern DFDE propulsion solution, an ME-GI engine delivers fuel savings of more than 30 tonnes of gas per day when operating at a normal ship speed of 15-17 knots.

To date, MAN Diesel & Turbo has clinched orders for 42 dual-fuel units, representing a power output of 780 MW.

The engine designer says the ME-GI engine is the culmination of many years’ work. Depending on relative price and availability, as well as environmental considerations, the ME-GI engine gives shipowners and operators the option of using either HFO or gas – predominantly natural gas. An ME-LGI counterpart is also being developed that uses LPG and methanol.

Hyundai became the first MAN Diesel & Turbo two-stroke licensee to demonstrate the ME-GI concept in Korea in late-2012, with Mitsui following in April 2013. At the time, MAN Diesel & Turbo predicted a broad, potential market for its ME-GI engine. Subsequently, the company reported much interest in the engine and has since confirmed several orders from significant market players.

MAN Diesel & Turbo sees significant opportunities arising for gas-fueled tonnage as fuel prices rise and exhaust-emission limits tighten. Research indicates that the ME-GI engine delivers significant reductions in CO2, NOx and SOx emissions. The ME-GI engine has no methane slip