MAN wins methanol genset order

MAN Energy Solutions has clinched an order for three dual-fuel methanol gensets for a 7,990dwt IMO Type II chemical bunker tanker, due for delivery in the final quarter of 2025. The three MAN 6L21/31DF-M engines will be part of a diesel-electric propulsion setup incorporating electric motors driving a pair of fixed-pitch propellers via gearboxes. Batteries and an energy storage system will optimise the use of the generators, MAN said.

CMP, a division of the Chinese State Shipbuilding Corporation and the engine company’s licensee, will build the engines in China. The bunker tanker will operate under charter in the port of Singapore, which is understood to be planning for a steady supply of methanol as a marine fuel from 2025.

MAN Energy Solutions’ country manager, Denmark, Bjarne Foldager, commented: “Seeing our trusted MAN L21/31 gensets go into these ships as a methanol-fuelled version shows that maritime decarbonisation is a prominent consideration for shipowners in all vessel segments and sizes. It also clearly illustrates, regardless of the market one serves as shipowner, that our broad, dual-fuel portfolio enables everyone to take part in the green transition.”

The company’s head of Sales and Promotion, Thomas S. Hansen, said: “The MAN L21/31 engine is well-established in the market, having racked up some 2,750 sales … With the shipping market currently experiencing an increased interest in methanol as marine fuel and orders for methanol-fuelled ships steadily growing as part of many companies’ decarbonisation strategy, we feel that the introduction of this dual-fuel engine is timely.”