South Korean Shipyard Hanwha Ocean Orders Dual-Fuel Engines from MAN Energy Solutions for LNG Carriers

South Korean shipyard Hanwha Ocean has placed an order with German manufacturer MAN Energy Solutions (ES) for four dual-fuel engines to be installed on two liquefied natural gas (LNG) carriers it is building for an undisclosed shipowner.

Hanwha Engine is slated to build the two-stroke, dual-fuel MAN B&W 5G70ME-GI Mk10.5 engines in South Korea to be used for powering two 174,000 cubic-meter (cbm) LNG carriers. Each engine will come integrated with the German player’s proprietary exhaust gas recirculation bypass (EGRBP) system. Additionally, the contract contains an option for two more vessels.

Bjarne Foldager, Head of MAN Energy Solutions’ Two-Stroke Business, said: “It’s very satisfying to see our ME-GI engine orders also pick up momentum within the important LNG carrier segment. The ME-GI’s mature technology delivers guaranteed, extremely low levels of methane slip that make it the most future-proof methane engine on the market.”

MAN ES describes its M-type electronically controlled gas injection (ME-GI) engine as having set a new industrial standard for two-stroke propulsion engines as it offers two-stroke technology with “negligible” methane slip. The firm also says its high-pressure fuel supply system makes it suitable for many types of vessels.

“To date, we have achieved a total of more than 890 ME-GI references, either on order or in service, with over 110 of those within the LNGC segment alone. The ME-GI engine has several favourable characteristics, including a best-in-class performance, the highest thermal efficiency for methane-fuelled two-stroke engines, as well as millions of reliable operating hours,” noted Christian Ludwig, Head of Two-Stroke Sales and Promotion at MAN ES.

Not being sensitive to fuel properties, the engine can operate on bio-methane and synthetic natural gas that render it net-zero, providing a viable decarbonization pathway for shipowners, Ludwig explains.

The ME-GI engine boasts what MAN ES says is high operational stability and efficiency, ensuring reliable operation during load changes on gas with normal additions of pilot-oil amounts. According to the German player, this is the most environmentally friendly technology available within the LNG-fuelled, two-stroke engine segment.

Earlier this week, Mitsui E&S disclosed having started test operation of the large-bore low-speed ammonia dual fuel engine, MITSUI-MAN B&W 7S60ME-C10.5-LGIA-HPSCR. This is seen as “a major step” toward decarbonizing the shipping industry as Mitsui says this is the world’s first test run with an ammonia fuel on this type of engine.

As for Hanwha Ocean, the firm tapped France’s GTT for the tank design of a 174,000-cbm vessel duo it is building for Greek shipowner Maran Gas Maritime late last year.