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man B&W 5G70ME-GI gas engine

Teekay to Build Pair of LNG Carriers, Chooses 2-Stroke Dual Fuel Engines

Rob Almeida
Total Views: 27
December 20, 2012

MAN B&W 5G70ME-GI Engine

MAN Diesel & Turbo announced today that Teekay LNG Partners (NYSE: TGP) has chosen their ME-GI dual-fuel, two-stroke, gas-injection engines for a pair of 173,400 cubic metre LNG carriers to be built at Daewoo Shipbuilding and Marine Engineering (DSME) in Korea.  Teekay has the option to build a third ship, all of which will have two, 5G70ME-GI engines installed.

Peter Evensen, Chief Executive Officer at Teekay commented,  “The newbuildings will be constructed with M-type, Electronically Controlled, Gas Injection (ME-GI) twin engines, which are expected to be significantly more fuel-efficient and have lower emission levels than other engines currently being utilized in LNG shipping.”

Furthermore, the Teekay LNG engines are based on the new ultra-long-stroke G-type concept to deliver an even higher overall propulsion plant efficiency.

Planned delivery is in the first half of 2016.

The new order follows the early December announcement that TOTE, the American shipping company, ordered two 3,100 TEU container ships from NASSCO, each powered by an 8L70ME-GI engine, with an option for three additional vessels. The announcement represents 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.

Ole Groene, Senior Vice President Low-Speed Sales and Promotions, MAN Diesel & Turbo, said: “With the current flux in fuel prices, and the new Environmental Control Areas (ECAs), we felt the timing for the release of a commercial, low-speed, dual-fuel engine was right. The TOTE order – the very first commercial order for the ME-GI – was proof of this, and we view the continued momentum provided by the Teekay LNG order as confirmation that customers who understand the extremely positive commercial and environmental implications of the ME-GI are quickly embracing the concept.”

The ME-GI uses high-pressure gas injection that allows it to maintain the numerous positive attributes of the low-speed engine that have made it the default choice of the maritime community. The ME-GI dispenses with the need for power derating and eliminates the significant problem of methane slip (and resulting greenhouse gas emissions).

Dual-fuel capabilities

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.

MAN Diesel & Turbo sees significant opportunities arising for gas-fuelled tonnage as fuel prices rise and modern exhaust-emission limits tighten. Indeed, research indicates that the ME-GI engine delivers significant reductions in CO2, NOx and SOx emissions. Furthermore, the ME-GI engine has no methane slip and is therefore the most environmentally friendly technology available.

Bigger propellers considered

Following efficiency optimization trends in the market, MAN Diesel & Turbo has thoroughly evaluated the possibility of using ever larger propellers and thereby engines with even lower speeds for the propulsion of ocean-going vessels.

Such vessels may be more compatible with propellers with larger diameters than current designs, and facilitate higher efficiencies following adaptation of the aft-hull design to accommodate a larger propeller. It is estimated that such new designs offer potential fuel-consumption savings of some 4-7%, and a similar reduction in CO2 emissions.

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