02APR2018 - NEWS - Hanjin Heavy Industries (HHI) to build LPG powered dual fuel VLGCs (Very Large Gas Carriers) for EXMAR

Hanjin Heavy Industries will build LPG powered dual fuel VLGCs (Very Large Gas Carriers) for EXMAR. The 80,000 m3 newbuildings will each be powered by an individual MAN B&W 6G60ME-LGIP Mk9.5 engine. MAN Diesel & Turbo reports that the VLGCs have chosen LPG as a fuel option so they can comply with the new IMO sulphur-emission legislation due to enter force in 2020. Engine delivery to the yard has been scheduled for December 2019. Upon construction, the carriers will be chartered by Statoil.

Bjarne Foldager – Vice President Sales & Promotion, Two-Stroke Business at MAN Diesel & Turbo – said: “Interest in using LPG as a fuel, outside of the LPG carrier segment, is growing due to its sulphur-free character, free availability and ease of bunkering. In gas mode, we expect the ME-LGIP engine to operate on just 3% pilot oil and down to 10% load. Ultimately, we expect the engine to operate without the need for pilot oil.”

LPG as a fuel

Due to ever more stringent emission limits, many LPG carrier operators called for MAN Diesel & Turbo to develop an LPG-fuelled engine that could power LPG carriers in the most viable, convenient and economical way using a fraction of the cargo already onboard. LPG is an eminently environmentally-friendly fuel, in much the same class as liquefied natural gas (LNG), and an LPG-fuelled engine will significantly reduce emissions, enabling vessels to meet the stringent IMO SOx emission regulations due to come into force globally from 2020.

LPG’s future as a viable fuel for general marine transportation looks promising as it will not require as large an investment in infrastructure – such as bunkering facilities – in contrast to other, gaseous fuels. Accordingly, MAN Diesel & Turbo expects a strong demand for LGIP engines for very large gas carriers (VLGCs) and coastal vessels from their introduction.