MAN Diesel & Turbo has agreed to equip four of Canada-based Waterfront Shipping's vessels with new ME-LGI dual-fuel engines which run on a mix of 95% methanol and 5% diesel fuel.
The recently-developed engines expand MAN's dual-fuel portfolio, which makes use of more sustainable fuels such as methanol and liquefied petroleum gas.
Production of the four G50ME-LGI engines is expected to be completed by the end of the year, with delivery scheduled to follow in the summer of 2015.
The company has developed the new engines for companies interested in operating on alternatives to heavy fuel oil. It is also working on developing a Tier III-compatible version of the ME-LGI engine.
Waterfront Shipping president Jone Hognestad said that methanol is sulphur free and provides many environmental benefits.
"In using methanol-based marine fuel, we can reduce emissions and fuel costs at the same time," he added.
MAN Diesel & Turbo senior vice-president Ole Grøne said: "With increasing fuel prices and upcoming shipping regulations, we identified the need to develop an engine that can enable ships to run on alternative fuels with environmental benefits".
Methanex subsidiary Waterfront Shipping operates the largest methanol ocean tanker fleet in the world and specialises in the transport of bulk chemicals and clean petroleum products.
The company's fleet of 18 modern deep sea tankers range from 3,000 to 49,000 deadweight tonnage and supply products to major international markets in North America, Asia, Europe and Latin America.
Source: http://www.ship-technology.com
