MAN completes first dual-fuel LPG retrofit
The BW Gemini has had its main engine retrofitted to an MAN B&W 6G60ME- LGIP dual-fuel type (Source: BW LPG)
MAN PrimeServ, MAN Energy Solutions’ after-sales division has completed the world’s first dual-fuel engine conversion for Oslo-listed owner, BW LPG. The main engine aboard the LPG tanker, BW Gemini, a MAN B&W 6G60ME-C9.2 unit, has been converted into a MAN B&W 6G60ME-LGIP two-stroke, dual-fuel engine and is now capable of operating on fuel oil or LPG.
The project is the first of twelve such conversions to be carried out on board BW LPG ships. The BW Gemini docked at China’s Yui Lian Dockyards in Shenzen early in August and, owing to the pandemic, the MAN Primeserv team mostly oversaw the conversion project remotely.
Pontus Berg, BW LPG’s executive vice president, Technical and Operations, LPG, explained why the company has chosen retrofits over newbuildings. “Retrofitting allows us to minimise our carbon footprint – the process emits up to 97% less carbon dioxide compared to a newbuilding construction. Retrofitting also means that we do not add additional tonnage that the world does not need.
“In addition, BW LPG’s fleet is already recognised amongst charterers for its efficiency, and so retrofitting twelve of its vessels to dual-fuel LPG would help to further reinforce the company’s strong reputation in this area.”
