Caterpillar Completes 1st Dual Fuel Engine Retrofit

Caterpillar Marine successfully completed the commercial marine industry’s first dual fuel engine retrofit conversion in hull.

Performed in under six weeks, Caterpillar Marine along with Cat dealer Bolier, completed an in hull retrofit onboard the Coral Anthelia, an Anthony Veder LNG carrier vessel. The MaK™ M 43 C diesel engine was retrofitted to the 6 cylinder M 46 dual fuel platform, with each cylinder offering 900 kW of rated power. As a result of performing the retrofit within the hull, no modifications had to be done to the ship’s structure and no docking was required.

“Caterpillar is firmly committed to providing sustainable, flexible solutions that enhance our customers operations. We’re proud of the collaborative effort between Anthony Veder, Cat dealer Bolier and our engineering team to successfully achieve a beneficial industry milestone,” Karl Vollrath, Caterpillar Marine customer service manager noted. “As an LNG carrier operating in waters impacted by SECA regulations, the Coral Anthelia will be able to optimize its performance utilizing LNG, heavy fuel oil or diesel.”

With a bore of 460 millimeters and stroke of 610, the M 46 dual fuel engine was designed for electric drive propulsion systems as well as mechanical propulsion systems. Although designed for unlimited operation on LNG, marine diesel oil and heavy fuel oil, the M 46 DF will reach industry-leading efficiency in gas mode. The M 46 DF was strategically engineered to allow for the retrofitting of current M 43 C engines. Additionally, existing M 32 C engines can be retrofitted to the MaK M 34 DF dual fuel platform.

 

As a result of the synergies between the two platforms, Caterpillar can perform in hull retrofit conversions without having to move the engine block or perform extensive machining. “The benefits of an in hull retrofit for our customers are incredibly significant,” Axel Hausmann Caterpillar Marine customer service manager stated. “In addition to preserving the integrity of the vessel, an in hull retrofit saves the customer time and money in an industry driven by the bottom line.”