MAN Energy’s ME-GI Main Engines to Power Container Vessel Fleet

New Times Shipbuilding Co. ordered 12 8G95ME-GI (gas injection) main engines from MAN Energy Solutions. These engines will be installed on 12 under-construction container vessels, rated at 18,000 teu, for Eastern Pacific Shipping (EPS) Co. in Singapore.

“This new, sizable order reflects the momentum the ME-GI engine experienced during the building boom that the Very Large Container Vessel segment is currently experiencing,” said Bjarne Foldager – Country Manager, Denmark – MAN Energy Solutions. “EPS is an old acquaintance of MAN Energy Solutions with whom we have built a relationship over the years. This is just the latest in a series of mutual, recent ME-GI projects and we thank them for placing their trust in us again.”

MAN Energy’s ME-GI engine is a two-stroke propulsion model used in RoRo vessels, pure car and truck carriers, container vessels, bulk carriers, tankers, and LNG carriers. The engine offers ship owners, charterers, and operators with environmentally friendly, high efficiency operation, without the methane-slip emissions of traditional engines.

ME-GI main engine; Image Credits: MAN Energy Solutions

“The ME-GI’s mature technology brings a number of advantages to the table, not least its guaranteed, extremely low levels of methane slip,” said Thomas S. Hansen, Head of Two-Stroke Sales and Promotion, MAN Energy Solutions. “It also has the highest fuel efficiency in its class, which explains why the G95ME-GI Mk10.5 has been specified for more than 60 Very Large Container Vessel newbuilds in just the past two months. The ME-GI is furthermore capable of operating on bio-methane and synthetic natural gas that render it net-zero and provide a viable decarbonization pathway for shipowners.”

The diesel principle provides the ME-GI engine with 100% reliable operation during gas load changes with normal additions of pilot-oil amounts. It can switch between gas and diesel operation. The company also developed an ME-LGI (liquid gas injection) dual-fuel engine that enables the use of sustainable fuels such as green methanol.

MAN’s Engine News

In late July 2024, MAN PrimeServ announced a retrofit package to convert deployed MAN four-stroke engines to dual-fuel methanol operation. Customers will convert their MAN 48/60 engines to the latest 51/60R-DF-M engine type with methanol capability, with or without a common-rail system. In addition to dual-fuel methanol operation, customers will benefit from higher engine efficiency during diesel operation. The engines will be equipped with MAN Energy’s control and safety systems.

According to MAN Energy Solutions, the conversion package has been under development and tested at its Augsburg plant since summer 2024. MAN PrimeServ will perform the first four-stroke engine retrofits for a pilot customer in fall 2025, with the package coming to market shortly after.

In April, MAN Energy agreed to provide three 6L21/31 DF-M generator sets (gensets) for a 7,990 dwt IMO type II chemical bunker tanker’s propulsion system. The dual-fuel gensets will comprise part of a diesel-electric propulsion system for the vessel with electrical motors driving twin fixed-pitch propellers using gearboxes. Dual-fuel generator usage will be optimized with an onboard battery-storage system.

CMP, a MAN Energy licensee and an engine-manufacturing segment of the Chinese State Shipbuilding Corp., will build the methanol engines in China and the vessel is to be delivered during Q4 2025. The new chemical bunker tanker will operate under a charter at the port of Singapore to deliver marine fuels.