Japan Warms to ME-GI Concept
One of MAN Diesel & Turbo’s oldest licensees held a successful demonstration of the ME-GI concept on April 17, 2013 at its Tamano works. A large crowd of guests attended the demonstration and the following reception where, among others, MAN Diesel & Turbo’s Dr. René Umlauft, CEO, and Thomas Knudsen, Head of the Low Speed business unit, held commemorative speeches.
In his speech, Dr. Umlauft described the ME-GI engine as representing a milestone in a shipping era where stricter emission regulations and rising fuel costs are calling for environmentally friendly and economic solutions. He said, “Dual-fuel engines are tailored perfectly to these demands. When operated in gas mode, CO2 and nitric oxide emissions are markedly reduced, while sulphur oxides, soot and particle emissions are virtually non-existent. Additionally, dual-fuel engines give ship owners and operators tremendous flexibility and cost-efficiency, since the fuel can be changed based on its availability and price.”
Umlauft stated that gas, as a fuel, was on the rise, and that hurdles like infrastructure and refueling were now being resolved. In this respect, he gave the recent example of Jurong Port in Singapore, one of the biggest trans-shipment centers between Southeast Asia and Europe, where a new LNG terminal is now being established.
He concluded by referring back to Mitsui’s building of the world’s first commercial high-pressure gas injection two-stroke engine, a 12K80MC-GI-S delivered to the power station at Chiba in 1994 and said, “As we are only now beginning to receive orders for marine ME-GI engines, this early order bears witness to Mitsui’s readiness and commitment to enter into new and daring projects. I would like to thank Mitsui for our long-term successful cooperation and especially congratulate it today for the achievement of producing and demonstrating the first Mitsui MAN B&W 6S70ME-C-GI engine. I am looking forward to further exciting and promising projects that we will realize together in the future.”
In his speech, Thomas Knudsen spoke of his pride in the result of many years of joint effort between Mitsui and MAN Diesel & Turbo and also referenced the first GI engine that was developed in Tamano and later entered service, producing electricity for the Tokyo area. He called the demonstration of the 6S70ME-C-GI engine another visible sign of the high entrepreneurship and innovative capability of Mitsui.
Unveiled at a major event at MAN Diesel & Turbo’s Copenhagen Diesel Research Centre in May 2011, the ME-GI engine represents the culmination of many years’ work. Depending on relative price and availability, as well as environmental considerations, the ME-GI engine gives shipowners and operators the option of using either HFO or gas – predominantly natural gas but also LPG and methane.
Mitsui is the second MAN Diesel & Turbo two-stroke licensee to demonstrate the ME-GI concept after Hyundai did so in Korea in November 2012. Shortly afterwards, TOTE – the American shipping company –ordered two 8L70ME-GI engines to power two 3,100 TEU newbuilding container ships, with an option for three additional vessels. That announcement represented the first commercial order for the engine type, officially designated as ME-C-GI (M-type, Electronically Controlled, GI for Gas Injection) in the MAN Diesel & Turbo low-speed portfolio.
The following month, MAN Diesel & Turbo was able to confirm the successful introduction of the ME-GI to the market with the announcement of another order when Teekay LNG Partners L.P. (Teekay LNG), an offshoot of Teekay Corporation, the international shipping group, placed an order for two LNG carriers powered by 2 × 2 5G70ME-GI engines, including an option for three further ships.
