One of MAN Diesel & Turbo’s oldest licensees, Mitsui, hosts a demonstration of the ME-GI marine diesel engine at its Tamono works.
A large assembly 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, gave commemorative speeches.
In his speech, MAN Diesel & Turbo’s Dr. René Umlauft, CEO, 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 centres 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.
The ME-GI engine
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.