Maersk, the Danish integrated logistics company, has signed a contract with MAN PrimeServ – MAN Energy Solutions’ after-sales division – for the retrofit of the main engines aboard 11 container vessels equipped with MAN B&W 8G95ME-C9.5 prime movers.
These will be retrofitted to dual-fuel MAN B&W 8G95ME-LGIM10.5 types capable of operation on fuel oil/methanol.
The first vessel will be retrofitted in mid-2024. PrimeServ will provide a solutions package comprising engineering, parts, project management, onsite technical assistance at the yard, sea-trial assistance, and recertification service during the work.
Michael Petersen, Senior Vice President, and Head of PrimeServ Denmark, said: “Switching to low-carbon fuel is the most effective way to decarbonise the existing maritime fleet. In this respect, the container segment has led the maritime energy transition over the past two years with a large proportion of newbuildings opting for dual-fuel engines. Similarly, retrofits to dual-fuel also represent an excellent way to decarbonise while enabling shipowners to maintain their assets’ value and avoid the unnecessary building of additional tonnage.”
Klaus Rasmussen, Head of Projects and PVU Sales at MAN PrimeServ commented: “Part of our strategy is to act as a solution partner for our customers and help them attain their decarbonisation goals. In that context, these will be the first-ever methanol retrofits performed on two-stroke engines and will enable emissions reduction when operating on green methanol. Retrofitting a MAN B&W engine to dual-fuel running is straightforward as our standard, electronically controlled ME-C diesel engines are constructed as ‘dual-fuel ready’ and therefore readily retrofittable.”
The retrofit contract closely follows the recent announcement of the completion of the FAT (Factory Acceptance Test) of the first engine in Maersk’s ‘Equinox’ class newbuildings that are also equipped with MAN B&W 8G95ME-LGIM10.5 dual-fuel methanol engines.
