MAN Energy Solutions said the first ME-GI (gas injection) engine featuring the company’s new pump vaporiser unit (PVU) has successfully completed an LNG gas trial in South Korea following a successful shop test in January
The engine is the first in a series for six neo-Panamax box ships built by Hyundai Samho Heavy Industries (HSHI), and ordered by Singapore’s Eastern Pacific Shipping (EPS) – the first of which, Tenere, has been chartered by CMA CGM. Each vessel will feature the MAN B&W 11G90ME-GI main engine.
EPS chief executive Cyril Ducau said the successful gas and sea trials was a milestone for EPS which committed to investing in alternative marine fuels three years ago.
Mr Ducau said the ME-GI engines were selected for their ability to reduce methane slippage to negligible levels and to ensure the vessels will hit IMO’s 2030 emission compliance goals years ahead of schedule, adding that the vessels “will be the cleanest vessels of their category” on the water today.
MAN said the engine is the largest and most powerful (MCR 68,640 kW) gas engine it has produced to date with service experience from ME-GI operators recording a gas-availability rate of greater than 98%, testament to its stability and reliability.
The PVU and pilot booster injection valve keep in line with the company’s strategy to supply more-complete propulsion systems, a MAN statement said. The EPS gas trial marks the commercial debut of MAN’s PVU8000, the largest unit of its kind available on the marine market.
The PVU8000 will ensure the reliable flow of LNG through a compact design that through individual control of the cryogenic pumps (cold-ends) provides the redundancy required to ensure high reliability at all times.
MAN senior vice president and head of two-stroke business Bjarne Foldager said “I am delighted to receive the positive reports from these successful gas trials where testing has proceeded smoothly according to the plan laid for the engine’s entry into service. I am also very encouraged by the reports of good cylinder conditions. The ME-GI engine is mature technology that has accumulated multiple references in multiple segments and is further improved by the introduction of the PVU, which ensures an optimal integration between the engine and supply system.”
MAN Energy Solutions said that it has now exceeded 300 references for its dual-fuel portfolio of two-stroke engines – all running on LNG or other, alternative fuels such as LPG and methanol.
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