World’s largest container ships driven by MAN’s most powerful engine

At 23,964 TEU HMM Algeciras is the world’s largest container ship and one of 12 ultra-large container ships operated by HMM. Each vessel in the series will feature the same model of MAN engine.

HMM Algeciras was launched in April at the DSME Okpo shipyard in Geoje, Korea. The newbuilding measures 400 m by 61 m and was ordered in August 2018 as part of an order for 12 ultra-large container ships. DSME will construct seven vessels and Samsung Heavy Industries the remainder. All 12 vessels are scheduled for delivery during 2020.

MAN senior vice-president and head of two-stroke business, Bjarne Foldager said “The market has been asking for an engine with the capability to handle the propulsion of today’s gigantic container ships, and we feel that this new platform delivers in every technical regard. It is truly pleasing that it has proven itself aboard such a noteworthy vessel.”

MAN said the engine’s power delivery has been adjusted downwards to achieve an optimal fuel consumption, the ME-C Mk 10.5 type is capable of delivering 6,870 kW per cylinder. Physically, it measures almost 22 m by 18 m and weighs 2,230 tonnes.

The B&W 11G95ME-C engine was built on a new Mk 10.5 platform, representing an update of its Mk 9.5 predecessor with improvements in performance, fuel consumption, emissions and cylinder condition. The engine comes equipped with MAN’s new fuel-booster injection valve (FBIV), and top-controlled exhaust valve (TCEV). MAN said HMM Algeciras will enjoy a reduction of 51% in CO₂ emissions, compared to previous generations of container vessels, with the help of the new engine.

MAN chief sales officer Wayne Jones said “We closely follow market trends, and this opportunity comes at a time when modern shipping is placing new demands on engine developers. Our new engine platform is designed to meet and even exceed such challenges.”

HSD Engine Co built the new engine in South Korea. The vessels are equipped with hybrid versions of an exhaust-gas scrubber that can run with both open and closed circuits.

HMM Algeciras will be deployed on Far East Europe 4 (FE4) service, one of the Asia-Northern Europe trade lanes of THE Alliance, with its port rotation starting at Qingdao, Busan, Ningbo, Shanghai, Yantian, Suez Canal, Rotterdam, Hamburg, Antwerp, London Gateway, then Singapore via Suez Canal.

Riviera is hosting an ongoing series of free to attend 45-minute webinars on subjects ranging from maritime air pollution, hybrid, electric and fuel cell propulsion, gas carrier tankers and terminals among many others. Find a list of the webinars and register your interest now