Almi Tankers to debut MAN 7G80ME-C9.2 engine

Athens-based shipmanagement company Almi Tankers will be the first to equip two VLCCs with the very first new 7G80ME-C9.2 engine launched by MAN Diesel & Turbo. The engines will be built by Hyundai Heavy Industries in South Korea with testbed running in January 2013. The vessels will be built at DSME in South Korea, with delivery scheduled for May and December 2013. Almi chairman, Costas Fostiropoulos, was insistent that these vessels be built at a proven Korean yard, and emphasis be given to environmental and future regulatory considerations. The engines are an important part of this strategy.

MAN Diesel & Turbo states that it is also currently involved in several active VLCC projects where the G80ME-C9.2 is the preferred engine choice. Indeed, this vessel type was originally the primary target behind the introduction of the G80ME-C9.2 engine.

The shipping industry is currently debating whether or not VLCC lay-out speed should be reduced to 13 knots from the existing 15 to 15.5 knots, a scenario which the G80 is tailor-made to meet.

MAN Diesel & Turbo senior vice president for low-speed promotion and sales Ole Grøne says: “Traditionally, super long-stroke S-type engines, with relatively low engine speeds, have been applied as prime movers in tankers. Following the efficiency optimisation trends in the market, the possibility of using even larger propellers has been thoroughly evaluated with a view to using engines with even lower speeds for propulsion, with VLCCs being an obvious candidate.”

He continued: “VLCCs may be compatible with propellers with larger propeller diameters than the current designs, and thus high efficiencies following an adaptation of the aft hull design to accommodate the larger propeller. The new ultra-long stroke G80ME-C9.2 engine type meets this trend in the VLCC market.”

It is estimated that such new designs offer potential fuel-consumption savings of some 4-7%, and a similar reduction in CO₂ emissions. Simultaneously, the engine itself can achieve a high thermal efficiency using the latest engine process parameters and design features.

Earlier this summer Athens-based shipowner Thenamaris placed an order for four 6G80ME-C9.2 engines to power 4 x 5,000-teu container vessels, to be built by Hyundai (HSHI) in South Korea.

The G-type programme was introduced to the market in October 2010 with the G80ME-C9 model. MAN Diesel & Turbo subsequently expanded the ultra-long-stroke programme in May 2011 with the addition of G70ME-C9, G60ME-C9 and G50ME-B9 models.

The G-types have designs that follow the principles of the large-bore Mk-9 engine series that MAN Diesel & Turbo introduced in 2006. Their longer stroke reduces engine speed, thereby paving the way for ship designs with unprecedented high efficiency. TST