Gas Gemini, considered one of two LPG carriers whose engines will likely be retrofitted fir twin gas operation
MAN Energy Solutions’s after-sales division, MAN PrimeServ, has signed a contract to retrofit two LPG carriers for China’s Tianjin Southwest Maritime for operation on LPG. The MAN B&W 6G60ME-C engines within the Gas Gemini and Gas Aquarius will likely be retrofitted to dual-fuel MAN B&W 6G60ME-LGIP models able to operating on LPG.
The two vessels will likely be retrofitted in parallel, starting May 30, 2023, on the COSCO Shipping Heavy Industry (Guangdong) shipyard
In a primary, PrimeServ will collectively perform the work with CMS (CSSC Marine Service Co. Ltd.), the after-sales subsidiary of CSSC Marine Power Group.
“Hearty congratulations to Southwest Maritime on the LGIP conversion contract signing between MAN Energy Solutions and CMS,” stated Tao Guohua, vice chairman, CSSC Marine Power Group. “I do believe that the emerging engine-retrofit market will be a new area for MAN Energy Solutions to strengthen the existing close cooperation between us. We are also keenly looking forward to building a strategic cooperation with MAN Energy Solutions in this market and to further extend our cooperation into more portfolios.”
“We treat every project on a case-to-case basis but this particular instance is notable in that it represents the first time that we are collaborating on a retrofit project with a licensee’s own after-sales division,” stated Per Rud, senior vice chairman, MAN PrimeServ. “I feel that it is important for the after-sales market to be aware that MAN PrimeServ is open to working with all partners in order to support shipowners globally. The successful negotiations with CMS have strengthened our partnership and both parties are more than satisfied with the result.”
The contract signing follows within the wake of a June 22 announcement by Oslo-listed BW LPG, the world’s main proprietor and operator of LPG vessels that, underneath MAN PrimeServ’s supervision, it had transformed the principle engine of the BW Malacca to dual-fuel operating. This was the final in a sequence of 15 such conversions of BW LPG vessels, the primary of which was accomplished in October 2020. All work was carried out at Yiu Lian Dockyards in Shenzhen, proof of China’s potential to efficiently execute such retrofits.
Klaus Rasmussen, head of tasks and PVU sSales, MAN PrimeServ, stated: “In order to decarbonize the existing maritime fleet, switching to low-carbon fuel is the most effective tool. In this context, dual-fuel retrofits represent an eminent way for owners to maintain their assets’ value for years to come. Specifically, in the case of very large gas carriers, their ability to operate off their own cargo makes for a very positive business case. Tianjin Southwest has already ordered six vessels powered by ME-LGIP main engines and LPG is well on its way to becoming the standard in this segment. Currently, we estimate that there are 154 VLGCs with single-fuel engine technology that could benefit from conversion to LPG-running.”
STRONG BUSINESS CASE
Cost-wise, says MAN, LPG is a greater possibility than compliant fuel-oil, with excessive lifetime-savings prospects. By leveraging LPG as a marine gas, vessels profit from financial savings as a consequence of decrease gas consumption and full dual-fuel flexibility, which guards in opposition to value sensitivity to post-2020 fuel-price fluctuations. Furthermore, the flexibility to make use of LPG cargo as a supplemental gas supply additionally reduces time and costs for gas bunkering.
Harnessing LPG propulsion additionally interprets into cleaner, extra environment friendly engines which are cheaper to take care of, whereas the gas flexibility of dual-fuel engines ensures full redundancy for uninterrupted operations.
Compared to 2020-compliant fuels, utilizing LPG as a gas reduces SOx by 99%, CO2 by 15%, NOx by 10%, and particulate matter by 90%.
