Portuguese Navy Awards MAN Energy Multiple Contracts for 175D Engines

Under two separate contracts, MAN Energy Solutions will deliver 175D engines for multiple Portuguese Navy newbuild vessels: a multi-purpose vessel (MPV) and an offshore patrol vessel (OPV).

For the first delivery, Damen Shipyards Group ordered four 175D engines to build a 107-meter-long MPV, with primary mission roles such as oceanic research, search and rescue, emergency relief, maritime safety, and naval-support operations. The shipset will comprise:

• Two 12-cylinder 175D-MEM engines, generating 1,800 kW each at 1,800 rpm
• Two 16-cylinder 175D-MEM engines, generating 2,400 kW each at 1,800 rpm

MAN Energy will deliver the engines in 2025, with vessel delivery slated for 2026.

“This vessel’s multi-purpose functionality will enable the Portuguese Navy to execute the most demanding missions, as well as give it the ability to perform research at the greatest ocean depths,” said Florian Keiler, Head of High-Speed Sales, Marine Four-Stroke, MAN Energy Solutions. “A particular requirement for this order related to structure-borne noise and, accordingly, the 175D gensets will come with double-resilient mounting to meet all noise requirements over the full frequency range.”

Multi-purpose vessel for Portuguese Navy; image credit: MAN Energy Solutions

For the other project, West Sea-Estaleiros Navais will install 12x175D engines on six under-construction, 83-meter OPVs. These Viana do Castelo-class vessels will conduct long-range maritime surveillance and patrol missions, search-and-rescue operations, and may be equipped with weapons and sensors to conduct military missions in turbulent maritime areas.

Specifically, the order comprises six shipsets with two 16-cylinder 175D-MEL engines, generating 2,960 kW each at 1,800 rpm. They will be assembled at MAN’s Frederikshavn facility in Denmark and are scheduled for delivery between 2026-2029. Each vessel will be delivered 18 months after the shipsets arrive in Portugal.

“This is a reference for the MAN 175D as naval vessels have high requirements in terms of maneuverability, speed, maintenance cycles, and environmental considerations,” said Dietmar Zutt, Sales Manager, High-Speed Navy, MAN Energy Solutions. “West-Sea and the Portuguese Navy jointly chose this engine mindful that each vessel’s power requirement of about 6 MW can be achieved with just two compact 16V175D-MEL gensets. These offer the segment’s best power-to-length ratio, meaning they can deliver power requirements with eight fewer cylinders, freeing up space in the engine room and lowering maintenance requirements.”

MAN 175D Units

In addition to offering improved engine dynamics, fast vessel maneuvering, rapid acceleration, and longer cruising ranges, the 175D features:

• Resilience to high temperatures
• Low-load endurance up to 24 hours without increasing engine power
• Fully cybersecure control system
• Methanol-capable operation
• CO₂-neutral operation with 100% renewable fuels

More MAN Energy News

In late March 2025, Karpowership contracted MAN Energy Solutions to supply 24 18-cylinder 51/60DF dual-fuel engines, each with a power generation capacity of 20.7 MW across numerous globally operated floating power-plant barges set to enter service in Asia, South and Central America, and Africa. Karpowership builds, owns, and operates power-plant ships to deliver quick electricity supplies in locations struggling with energy shortages after a natural disaster, for example.

This large-scale engine delivery allows Karpowership to expand its fleet power by approximately 500 MW, while switching between fuels based on local availability. The 51/60DF engine can fire natural gas, liquid biofuel, and additional liquid fuels, making it a suitable power generation asset for the Powership concept.