New MAN methanol engine orders point to multi-fuel future

Image: MAN Energy Solutions

As maritime continues to take a multi-fuel approach to decarbonization, MAN Energy Solutions reports that it has received multiple orders for MAN B&W G95ME-LGIM Mk 10.5 methanol engines to power a series of Very Large Container Vessels (VLCVs). The order brings the cumulative number of G95ME-C10.5-LGIM methanol engine orders to 95 at various yards in South Korea, China and Japan since the engine’s market introduction in 2021, of which five have already entered operation aboard VLCVs.

The new engines will share the same basic engine design concept as the 50-centimeter bore LGIM engines that have already been delivered, 25 of which are already in service.

“The marine industry is heading for a multi-fuel future where several pathways need to be available in order to achieve sufficient greenhouse-gas reduction at scale,” said Bjarne Foldager, country manager, Denmark at MAN Energy Solutions. “Along with methane and ammonia, methanol is one of the low- and zero-carbon fuels that will underpin shipping’s quest for decarbonization. We ultimately expect methanol to figure prominently as a future fuel across all vessel segments.”

Peter Quaade, head of dual-fuel engine group, two-stroke engine support at MAN Energy Solutions said: “Interest in methanol is taking off for newbuildings and retrofits,” said Peter Quaade, head of dual-fuel engine group, two-stroke engine support at MAN Energy Solutions. “Our dual-fuel methanol concept is proven and, to date, has accumulated over half a million hours running on methanol alone. Simultaneously, the interest in methanol retrofits is also growing. Indeed, the world’s first methanol engine retrofit – a G95ME-LGIM type – is currently undergoing sea-trials in China, which we anticipate will increase interest in this approach to decarbonization.”

MAN Energy Solutions developed the ME-LGIM (-Liquid Gas Injection Methanol) dual-fuel engine for operation on methanol as well as conventional fuel. The engine is based on the company’s proven ME-series, with its approximately 8,500 engines in service, and works according to the Diesel principle. When operating on green methanol, the engine offers carbon-neutral propulsion for large merchant-marine vessels. Currently more than 210 ME-LGIM engines are on order or in service.