MAN Energy Solutions has reported that its order book for methanol engines is growing and ‘the world’s first methanol engine retrofit’ – a G95ME-LGIM type – is currently undergoing sea-trials in China.
In a statement issued today (31 October), the company reported that it has received ‘multiple orders for MAN B&W G95ME-LGIM Mk 10.5 methanol engines to power a series of very large container vessels (VLCVs)’. This takes the cumulative number of G95ME-C10.5-LGIM methanol engine orders to 95, of which five have already entered operation aboard VLCVs.
The G95ME-C10.5-LGIM was introduced in 2021 and the new engines will share the same basic engine design concept as the 50-bore LGIM engines that have already been delivered, of which more than 25 are in service.
Bjarne Foldager – Country Manager, Denmark – MAN Energy Solutions, said: ‘The marine industry is heading for a multi-fuel future where several pathways need to be available in order to achieve sufficient greenhouse-gas reduction at scale. Along with methane and ammonia, methanol is one of the low- and zero-carbon fuels that will underpin shipping’s quest for decarbonisation. We ultimately expect methanol to figure prominently as a future fuel across all vessel segments.’
Peter Quaade, Head of Dual-Fuel Engine Group, Two-Stroke Engine Support, MAN Energy Solutions, shared the news about the sea-trials for the engine retrofit and added: ‘Interest in methanol is taking off for newbuildings and retrofits. Our dual-fuel methanol concept is proven and, to date, has accumulated over half a million hours running on methanol alone.’