Korean shipbuilder
Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering (DSME) announced at the Posidonia international shipping exhibition that it will supply two ME-GI-powered liquefied natural gas (LNG) carriers and two very large crude carriers (VLCCs) to
Maran Gas Maritime and
Maran Tankers Management. This is in addition to the four ME-GI-powered LNG carriers already on order from the companies which form part of the Angelicoussis Shipping Group, Greece's largest shipowner.
The 173,400-cubic-metre (cbm) LNG carriers - length 295 metres and breadth 46 metres - will each be fitted with MAN B&W 2 x 5G70ME-C9.5-GI gas- and fuel-burning engines, meeting IMO Tier III by exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) in both gas and fuel mode. This engine type not only lowers fuel emissions but is expected to significantly raise fuel efficiency.
The 318,000-deadweight-tonne (dwt) VLCCs - length 336 metres and breadth 60 metres - will each be powered by a single MAN B&W 7G80ME-C9.5 (a high-efficiency engine employing the latest fuel-saving technologies) and an exhaust gas recirculation system, which again is designed to ensure Tier III compliance. Described as the next generation of eco-friendly vessels the LNG vessels are due for delivery in 2019 whilst the VLCC's are scheduled to be delivered in the first half of 2018.
About MAN Diesel & Turbo's ME-GI engine
According to MAN Diesel & Turbo, the ME-GI engine series is "the most environmentally friendly technology available for marine propulsion".
The culmination of years of development, the dual-fuel low-speed diesel engine gives owners and operators the option of using either heavy fuel oil (HFO) or gas (predominantly natural gas) depending on price and availability of fuel as well as environmental considerations.
With rising concerns over both carbon dioxide (CO2) and sulphur oxide (SOx) emissions, research results reveal the ME-GI engine produces significant reductions in CO2, nitrogen oxide (NOx) and SOx. In addition, the engine has only minor un-burnt gas slip, resulting in very little of the greenhouse effects produced by competing engines. Furthermore, the diesel combustion principle of the engines results in no formaldehyde emissions.
