Successful FAT of “world’s largest” methanol engine

MAN Energy Solutions (MAN ES) announced its two-stroke licensee Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI-EMD) has marked a milestone with successful factory acceptance testing (FAT) of the MAN B&W G95ME-LGIM type engine. At a 95 cm cylinder bore size and more than 200 million brake-horsepower (bhp), it is the world’s largest methanol-powered two-stroke engine, said MAN ES, and the company’s first low-speed, two-stroke engine to exceed this rating.

Bjarne Foldager, head of Two-Stroke Business, MAN Energy Solutions, speaking at the event in South Korea and flanked by a MAN B&W G95ME-LGIM methanol-burning engine. (Photo: MAN Energy Solutions)

The engine was celebrated at a ceremony in South Korea on March 22, with successful FAT reported during the first half of April.

HHI-EMD is reported to be one of the largest marine two-stroke engine builders globally. The company has been a licensee of MAN ES since 1974, and most recently signed a 10-year agreement for MAN turbochargers in December 2021.

Bjarne Foldager, head of Two-Stroke Business, MAN Energy, who attended the ceremony on the company’s behalf, congratulated HHI-EMD on becoming the first engine manufacturer to reach the 200 million bhp mark. “It took about 35 years for the first 100 million bhp, and only 13 years for the next 100 million – an unbelievable achievement!” he stated.

According to MAN ES, the ME-LGIM dual-fuel engine was developed for operation on methanol as well as conventional fuel. The engine is based on the company’s ME-series and works according to the diesel principle. When operating on green methanol, the engine offers carbon-neutral propulsion for large merchant marine vessels. Currently, more than 100 ME-LGIM engines are on order or in service, more than 50 of which are G95ME-C10.5-LGIM variants, the company said.

Foldager said the MAN B&W G95ME-LGIM type engine in operation can save 130,000 tons of CO2 annually when operated on carbon-neutral methanol, Foldager said.

“We have a great responsibility for the future to develop and produce environmentally-friendly engines and ships,” he continued. “We are really proud of helping Hyundai on this important journey and hope to celebrate many new milestones together in the future.”