China Merchants Energy Shipping (CMES), a subsidiary of China Merchants Heavy Industry (CMHI), ordered the world´s first methanol engine for a Very Large Crude Carrier (VLCC). The main engine, a MAN B&W 7G80ME-LGIM (Liquefied Gas Injection Methanol), will be built by China Shipbuilding Industry Corporation Diesel Engine (CSE) and will be accompanied by MAN Energy Solutions´ patented EGR (Exhaust Gas Recirculation) emissions system.
The order is part of the construction of a VLCC by Dalian Shipbuilding Industry (DSIC), with delivery scheduled for April 2026. The move consolidates CMES´ position in methanol dual propulsion, following recent orders including six small-bore, seven-cylinder 21/31DF-M methanol combustion gensets for the construction of two 9,300 CEUs Pure Car and Truck Carrier (PCTC).
Details
Regarding the MAN B&W ME-LGIM, developed by MAN Energy Solutions, it is a dual-fuel engine capable of operating on both methanol and conventional fuel. Based on the company´s ME series, the diesel engine offers carbon-neutral propulsion when running on green methanol. Currently, more than 150 ME-LGIM engines have been ordered or are in service, with more than 70 G95ME-LGIM Mk 10.5 variants.
Thomas S. Hansen, Director of Promotion and Customer Service at MAN Energy Solutions, said, "Switching to low-carbon fuel is the most effective way to decarbonize the existing marine fleet and we are currently experiencing a growing interest in methanol-powered engines. In tune with this, we have recently expanded our methanol product portfolio such that its power range now covers all large merchant vessel applications, including VLCCs. The more than 150 ME-LGIM engines ordered and the more than 450,000 methanol operating hours already logged offshore demonstrate the capability of our concept."
News and imagen obtained: "Mundo Marítimo"
