First order for G80 dual-fuel methanol engine

MAN B&W has landed another order for dual-fuelled methanol engines. Shipbuilders Hyundai Samho Heavy Industries Co and HK Shipbuilding & Construction Co have ordered MAN B&W G80ME-LGIM engines for nine 9,000-TEU container ships being built for shipping and logistics company, HMM. The vessels are due to be delivered in 2025.

This is the first order for the G80 bore size units. The engines will operate on green methanol or conventional fuel oil and will feature MAN Energy Solutions’ exhaust gas recirculation systems, the company said. They will be ‘connectivity-ready’, prepared for digital services such as PrimeServ Assist. The latest order brings the engine firm’s tally of methanol-fuelled units to more than 100, either installed or on order.

HMM will deploy the ships on routes to the Americas and India. The company has already signed MoU’s with suitable fuel suppliers in various locations.

MAN Energy Solutions’ Bjarne Foldager, senior vice president and head of Low-Speed, commented: "This world-first order for a G80 methanol engine is just a continuation of the general market trend toward methanol, where the ME-LGIM engine has become the de facto industry standard for large, methanol-fuelled, merchant marine vessels. At MAN Energy Solutions, we expect further projects for this size of container vessel to be specified with our G80 methanol engine within the near future. As such, methanol is quickly becoming the most prominent alternative fuel in the container vessel segment."

His colleague, Thomas S. Hansen, head of Promotion and Customer Support, added: "MAN Energy Solutions’ methanol engines are a proven concept that combine well with methanol’s unique selling points as a fuel, which include its easy storage, simple auxiliary systems, and not to forget that green methanol is entirely carbon-neutral."

Along with the new order, HMM has also signed agreements with several fuel suppliers to ensure the methanol supply for the vessels.