MAN Diesel & Turbo, a leading provider of large-bore diesel and gas engines, has joined SEA/LNG, a multi-sector industry coalition aiming to accelerate adoption of liquefied natural gas (LNG) as a marine fuel.
MAN’s technical expertise will help augment existing SEA/LNG member’s original equipment manufacturers Wärtsilä and GTT.
MAN specializes in converting existing vessels to operate using LNG, and recently undertook the world’s first conversion of a container ship’s propulsion system from heavy fuel oil (HFO) to LNG.
The 1036 TEU feeder container ship Wes Amelie was retrofitted in August 2017 to a multi-fuel, four-stroke unit that enables dual-fuel operation — significantly reducing its SOx emissions by more than 99%, NOx by approximately 90% and CO2 by up to 20%.
In October 2017, MAN pledged a US2.3 million discount to convert 10 HFO engines into gas engines in an initiative to find clean solutions for seaborne trader and transportation.
Read the “Green Shipping to the Fore” technical paper, a discussion on the latest green initiatives looking to impact the industry
CEO of MAN Diesel & Turbo, Dr Uwe Lauber, said: “SEALNG’s vision is well aligned with MAN Diesel & Turbo’s strategy.
“In 2016, after COP 21, we launched the initiative ‘Maritime Energy Transition’ that encapsulates MAN Diesel & Turbo’s call to action to reduce emissions and establish natural gas as the preferred fuel of choice in global shipping.
“SEALNG aims to address and overcome current challenges impacting the global uptake of LNG, and MAN Diesel & Turbo is delighted to join forces with other industry leaders to support this work.”
SEA/LNG recently voiced its support for the level of ambition outlined by the IMO’s initial strategy for reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 50% by 2050 — and believes that LNG will be essential as a marine fuel to hit the decarbonisation targets.
SEALNG chairman and executive vice president of Tote, Peter Keller, said: “Combining expertise in infrastructure, finance, regulation, and technical areas are all essential if LNG is going to fulfil its full potential as a marine fuel today and into the future.
“We welcome the opportunity to leverage MAN’s in-depth knowledge of, and extensive understanding in the fields of propulsion as we continue to support the energy transition in shipping.”
