Image: MAN Energy Solutions

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MAN Energy Solutions has won an order to provide the propulsion systems for two Pasha Hawaii LNG-fuelled newbuild boxships, including its ME-GI (-Gas Injection) main engine.

Each propulsion system will comprise a 7S80ME-GI Mk 9.5 main engine, three MAN 6L35/44DF GenSets and an MAN Alpha FPP propeller system.

The two Ohana-class vessels, M/V George III and M/V Janet Marie, are to be constructed at the Keppel AmFELS yard in Brownsville, Texas, with Doosan Engine tasked with building the main engines in South Korea, and MAN Energy Solutions responsible for construction of the auxiliary engines.

The two ships are due to be launched in the first and third quarters of 2010, respectively, and engine delivery is scheduled for 2019.

Once in operation, the new vessels are to operate fully on LNG from their first day in service. Fuel savings are also expected to be achieved via an optimised hull form, and an underwater propulsion system with a high-efficiency rudder and propeller.

Commenting on the order, Bjarne Foldager, Vice President, Sales & Promotion, Two-Stroke Business at MAN Energy Solutions, said: "With some 200 engines on order or already in service, the ME-GI's popularity continues to grow. This is yet another order within the container segment and cements the ME-GI concept. More so, the project at hand shows how our customers pick up on offers of complete propulsion systems beyond just the main engine. This confirms our strategic path to develop into a system provider."

MAN Energy Solutions suggests the ME-GI engine has "set a new industrial standard for two-stroke propulsion engines"; that the ME-GI runs "without the greenhouse emissions such as methane slip"; and that it is "the most environmentally friendly [engine] available within the two-stroke engine segment".

"With the ME-GI engine, two-stroke development has taken a step further by combining the unique properties of multi-fuel combustion and the well-known reliability of MAN Energy Solutions ME-engine. The Diesel principle provides the ME-GI engine with high operational stability and efficiency, including during load changes and fuel change-over, while defining properties such as a stable change-over from fuel to gas with no fuel-penalties are maintained," MAN Energy Solutions adds.

Pasha Hawaii is based in Honolulu, Hawaii, and provides shipping services between Hawaii and the US mainland.