Engine of the Future is Already Available

First commercial ME-GI engine revealed at major event in Korea.

At a large customer event in Korea on 9 November 2012, Hyundai revealed the first, commercial MAN B&W ME-GI engine. The ME-GI is a gas-injection, dual-fuel, low-speed diesel engine that, when acting as main propulsion in LNG carriers or any other type of merchant marine vessel, can burn gas or fuel-oil at any ratio, depending on the energy source available on board and dictated by relative cost of combustibles and owner preference.

The ME-GI type was successfully demonstrated at the ceremony in Korea, culminating in it achieving 100% load when powered by gas with a minimal amount of pilot oil for ignition. The engine subsequently successfully passed its Type Approval Test at the end of November.

In his speech at the ceremony, Ole Grøne – Senior Vice President Low-Speed Promotion & Sales, MAN Diesel & Turbo – said: “In spite of the fact that newbuilding activity presently is relatively low, the regulatory environment of shipping is being tightened, especially with a view to emission control. Hence, development activities are high and HHI’s commitment to work with MAN Diesel & Turbo towards this demonstration of the ME-GI principle on a real commercial engine is highly appreciated by the industry. In this context it should be noted that the ME-GI technology is retrofittable for all existing ME engines.”

Jeong-Hwan, Kim, Senior Executive Vice President & COO Hyundai Heavy Industries, said in his speech: “The success of the dual-fuel ME-GI engine’s prototype test will lead to a great environmental contribution by effectively complying with stricter and stricter regulations, and I am confident that demand for the new engine will continue to rise in the future.”

Lars Juliussen – Senior Manager and Head of MAN Diesel & Turbo’s Diesel Research Centre, Copenhagen – held a technical presentation where he covered the ME-GI’s progress from research test rigs and the 4T50ME-GI research engine in Copenhagen, through its world premiere and demonstration test in May 2011, to that day’s demonstration test at Hyundai Engine & Machinery Division. Juliussen summarised the ME-GI engine as safe, reliable, flexible and clean.