MAN Diesel & Turbo Reports ME-GI Milestones
100 Orders received for ME-GI; second ME-GI engine dispatched by engine builder after successful Factory Acceptance Testing
MAN Diesel & Turbo reports that its ME-GI engine has now received more than 100 orders. FLEX LNG announced on February 2 that two-stroke slow-speed ME-GI main engines will be used as the propulsion system for two LNG carriers to be built at Samsung Heavy Industries. The expected delivery dates of the vessels have been postponed from Q1 2017 to Q1 and Q2 2018.
Ole Grøne, Senior Vice President Low-Speed Sales and Promotions, MAN Diesel & Turbo, said, “With our ME-GI order book now having passed the 100-unit milestone, we view it as a sign that our confidence in this low-speed, dual-fuel engine concept has been both well-founded and well-timed, and that we are providing what the market desires. Indeed, it seems as if the ME-GI is set to become the new industry standard.”
The first two ME-GI units (MAN B&W 8L70ME-GI types), recently passed Factory Acceptance Tests (FATs) in Korea, and have now been installed aboard two 3,100-teu container vessels currently under construction in the United States. MAN Diesel & Turbo informs that the testbed performance of the ME-GI engines exceeded expectations, providing tangible evidence of the soundness of the concept.
Grøne added, “The development process, particularly in relation to the seals associated with the gas-supply pressure, has been demanding but the successful FATs have shown that this challenge has been fully resolved. Overall, the ME-GI’s fuel-gas system has performed extremely well, confirming our expectations and the experience gained from various demonstrations and tests. As such, MAN Diesel & Turbo is confident that the ME-GI engine will continue as the unquestioned market leader and the only demonstrated two-stroke, dual-fuel engine that has passed exhaustive testing.”
The ME-GI engine gives shipowners and operators the option of utilizing fuel or gas depending on relative price and availability, as well as environmental considerations. The ME-GI uses high-pressure gas injection that allows it to maintain the numerous positive attributes of MAN B&W low-speed engines that have made them the default choice of the maritime community. The ME-GI is not affected by the multiple de-ratings, fuel-quality adjustments or large methane-slip issues as have been seen with other, dual-fuel solutions.
MAN Diesel & Turbo said it sees opportunities arising for gas-fuelled tonnage as fuel prices rise and modern exhaust-emission limits tighten. Research indicates that the ME-GI engine delivers significant reductions in CO2, NOx and SOx emissions. Furthermore, the ME-GI engine’s negligible methane slip makes it the most environmentally friendly technology available. As such, the ME-GI engine represents a highly efficient, flexible, propulsion-plant solution.
An ME-LGI counterpart that uses LPG, methanol and other liquid gasses is also available, and has already been ordered.
