Alternative Fuels

MAN Energy Solutions lands first order for G80 dual-fuel methanol engine

Along with the new order, HMM has also signed MoUs with multiple bunker fuel suppliers to ensure methanol supply for its 9 × 9,000 TEU container vessels.

Published

2 years ago

March 10, 2023

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Hyundai Samho Heavy Industries Co. and HJ Shipbuilding & Construction Co. (HJSC) have respectively ordered seven and two MAN B&W G80ME-LGIM dual-fuel engines in connection with the construction of 9 × 9,000 TEU container vessels for HMM Co., said MAN on Thursday (9 March, 2023).

The engines, which are capable of operation on green methanol and conventional fuel-oil, represent the first order for the G80 bore size; they will also feature MAN Energy Solutions’ proprietary EGR (Exhaust Gas Recirculation) systems.

The newbuildings will be delivered to HMM from 2025 and will operate on routes to North and South America as well as India. The G80 engines will, upon delivery, be connectivity-ready and prepared for digital services such as PrimeServ Assist.

Bjarne Foldager, Senior Vice President and Head of Low-Speed, MAN Energy Solutions, said: “This world-first order for a G80 methanol engine is just a continuation of the general market trend toward methanol where the ME-LGIM engine has become the de facto industry standard for large, methanol-fuelled, merchant marine vessels. At MAN Energy Solutions, we expect further projects for this size of container vessel to be specified with our G80 methanol engine within the near future. As such, methanol is quickly becoming the most prominent alternative fuel in the container vessel segment.”

Thomas S. Hansen, Head of Promotion and Customer Support, MAN Energy Solutions, said: “Our thanks for this significant order go to HMM, whose commitment and partnership we value greatly. This new order means that we now have over one-hundred ME-LGIM engines on order or in service. In our open project pipeline, container vessels make up around 61%, followed by both tankers and bulk carriers with 17%, and general cargo making up the remaining 5%. MAN Energy Solutions’ methanol engines are a proven concept that combine well with methanol’s unique selling points as a fuel that include its easy storage, simple auxiliary systems, and not to forget that green methanol is entirely carbon-neutral.”

Increasing methanol production

Along with the new order, HMM has also signed MoUs with multiple fuel suppliers to ensure the methanol supply for the vessels. In this regard, according to the Methanol Institute (MI), more than 80 renewable methanol projects globally are projected to produce more than 8m metric tons of e-methanol and bio-methanol annually by 2027.

Renewable methanol is a low carbon and net carbon-neutral liquid chemical and fuel produced from sustainable biomass, often called bio-methanol, or from captured carbon dioxide and hydrogen produced from renewable electricity, referred to as e-methanol.

In addition to the growing number of projects, MI reports clear evidence that bio-methanol and e-methanol facilities are ramping up production. With ongoing advancements in technology and increased government support, it expects the capacity of individual renewable plants to rise from 5 – 10,000 metric tons of methanol to 50 – 250,000 metric tons or more annually over the next five years.

About the MAN B&W ME-LGIM engine

MAN Energy Solutions developed the ME-LGIM dual-fuel engine for operation on methanol, as well as conventional bunker fuel. The engine is based on the company’s proven ME-series, with its approximately 8,500 engines in service, and works according to the Diesel principle. When operating on green methanol, the engine offers carbon-neutral propulsion for large merchant-marine vessels.

Methanol carriers have already operated at sea for many years using the engine, and, as such, the ME-LGIM has a proven track record offering great reliability and high fuel-efficiency.

Photo credit: MAN Energy Solutions
Published: 10 March, 2023

Environment

IMO Secretary-General: Net-Zero Framework sends clear demand signal to bunker fuel producers

New regulations will require investment for decarbonisation to take place, states Arsenio Dominguez.

Published

20 hours ago

June 17, 2025

Admin

Shipping gears up for massive investments in decarbonization 2 medium

The global shipping industry is preparing for a net-zero transformation that will have a sector-wide impact on everything from supply chains and business models, to ships, ports and the maritime workforce, said IMO Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez.

IMO approved new regulations for net-zero marine fuels and emissions in April, set for adoption in October. Calls for investments in decarbonisation are getting louder.

“Regulations alone cannot do the job. We need technological development and we need alternative fuels… And that can only happen in one way – with investment,” he said, speaking at the Blue Economy Finance Forum in Monaco (8 June).

This includes investing in scaling up production of alternative bunker fuels in large enough quantities to replace the 350 million tonnes of fuel oil currently burned by ships each year.

Upgrading port infrastructure and bunker operations will also be required to safely provide clean energy for ships when they call at ports around the world.

“The liner industry has already invested USD 150 billion in decarbonisation. It is unprecedented for the transport sector,” said President of the World Shipping Council, Joe Kramek. “But we need the fuel supply… it’s a tremendous investment opportunity.”

The new set of regulations, known as the “IMO Net-Zero Framework”, takes a two- pronged approach: a global fuel standard that limits the greenhouse gas (GHG) fuel intensity of marine fuels, and a price placed on the GHG emissions from ships.

The regulations send a clear demand signal to fuel producers, while rewarding ‘first movers’ – shipping companies who take the risk to adopt low- and zero-emission solutions early, and who are then able to share their experiences and expertise with others.

The IMO Net-Zero Framework works alongside earlier measures adopted by IMO to enhance energy-efficient ship design, operational improvements and carbon intensity ratings. They will be reviewed every five years, with emission limits tightened over time.

Photo credit: International Maritime Organization
Published: 17 June 2025

Newbuilding

NYK Group’s first methanol-fuelled bulk carrier “Green Future” delivered

Vessel is the first bulk carrier in the NYK Group to be equipped with a dual-fuel engine that uses methanol and fuel oil.

Published

21 hours ago

June 17, 2025

Admin

NYK Group on 13 May received delivery of Green Future, the company’s first methanol dual-fuel bulk carrier, at the TSUNEISHI Factory of TSUNEISHI SHIPBUILDING Co., Ltd. where a naming and delivery ceremony was also held, it said on Thursday (14 June).

The vessel will be chartered by NYK Bulk & Projects Carriers Ltd., an NYK Group company, from KAMBARA KISEN Co., Ltd.

It is the first bulk carrier in the NYK Group to be equipped with a dual-fuel engine that uses methanol and fuel oil.

“Methanol has a lower environmental impact than fuel oil, and by using bio-methanol and e-methanol produced using hydrogen derived from renewable energy sources and recovered carbon dioxide, the vessel achieves significant reductions in greenhouse gas emissions,” it said.

Vessel Particulars
LOA: 199.99 m
Breadth: 32.25 m
Depth: 19.15 m
Deadweight: approx. 65,700 metric tons
Capacity: approx. 81,500 m³
Draft: 13.8 m

Photo credit: NYK Group
Published: 17 June 2025

Ammonia

Yara Clean Ammonia voices support for ammonia bunkering pilot

Pilot has generated crucial real-world data and best practices for future ammonia bunkering operations globally.

Published

21 hours ago

June 17, 2025

Admin

Yara Clean Ammonia (YCA), the world’s largest trader and distributor of ammonia, on Friday (13 June) announced its key role in a landmark maritime decarbonisation initiative led by the Global Centre for Maritime Decarbonisation (GCMD).

The successful completion of the first-ever ship-to-ship transfer (STS) of ammonia at anchorage in Western Australia marks a major milestone in paving the way for ammonia as a viable marine fuel, it said.

Under the supervision of the Pilbara Port Authority (PPA), the pilot took place within the anchorage area of Port Dampier, simulating real-world bunkering conditions and demonstrating that ammonia transfer can be executed safely and effectively offshore.

According to YCA, the trial builds on the insights from GCMD’s prior safety study in Singapore and confirms that, with the right controls in place, ammonia STS transfers at anchorage are both safe and scalable.

The pilot has also generated crucial real-world data and best practices for future ammonia bunkering operations globally.

“This successful trial is a pivotal step towards building trust in ammonia as a zero-to-near-zero emission (ZNZ) maritime fuel,” said Murali Srinivasan SVP Commercial in Yara Clean Ammonia.

“It’s the result of world-class collaboration and careful planning—and it shows that with the right safeguards, ammonia bunkering is not only feasible but practical.”

Photo credit: Yara Clean Ammonia
Published: 17 June 2025