Grimaldi chooses MAN B&W two strokes for new hybrid RO/RO generation
Written by Nick Blenkey
MAN Energy Solutions reports that the Naples headquartered Grimaldi Group has ordered MAN B&W two-stroke propulsion engine/turbocharger packages for its “Green 5th Generation” of hybrid RO/RO vessels.
MAN Energy Solutions is to supply 18 MAN B&W 9S50ME-C9.6 Tier iI-compliant main engines for nine of the 7,800 lane-meter vessels and will also supply one MAN TCA66 turbocharger for each engine. MAN’s two-stroke licensee – Hyundai Heavy Industries Co., Ltd. (Engine & Machinery Business Unit) – will build the engines in Korea, while Jiangsu Jinling Shipyard Co. Ltd. will construct the vessels in Nanjing, China. Delivery of the first vessels is expected to start in 2020.
The new RO/RO ships are the first examples of a new series of hybrid vessels, that will use fuel oil during navigation and lithium mega-batteries in harbor, guaranteeing “zero emissions in port” while still meeting energy requirements at berth.
The batteries will be recharged during navigation using shaft generators.
“The bidding process was very competitive but, happily, a clear preference was expressed for our engines,” said Bjarne Foldager – Senior Vice President, Head of Two-Stroke Business at MAN Energy Solutions. “Our technology will play a crucial role in this innovative hybrid propulsion system that really points the way for shipping in the future. Along with MAN PrimeServ, our after-sales business, we thank the Grimaldi Group for its custom and look forward to powering these unique vessels.”
Designed by Danish naval architecture firm Knud E. HansenThe new ships will have a length of 238 meters, a beam of 34 meters and a gross tonnage of 64,000 tonnes with a loading capacity double that of the Neapolitan group’s current, largest RO/RO and triple that of its previous generation of RO/RO ships. The MAN B&W ME-C engines – as part of the hybrid propulsion set-up – will deliver a 100% increase in efficiency when measured in terms of consumption/ton of freight transported, compared to Grimaldi’s existing vessels.
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