German operator picks MAN ES’ methanol-ready engines for tanker quartet

February 2, 2024, by Fatima Bahtić

German operator of oil/chemical tankers German Tanker Shipping (GTS) has selected MAN ES’ propulsion solution with main and auxiliary engines plus MAN Alpha propeller for four oil and chemical tankers.

As explained, Fujian Mawei Shipbuilding and Xiamen Shipbuilding Industry in China have ordered 4 × MAN 10L32/44CR main engines in connection with the construction of 4 × 41,000 dwt oil-and-chemical tankers for GTS.

MAN common-rail engines are capable of burning conventional fuels like HFO, MDO and MGO, as well as sustainable fuels like biodiesel (HVO and/or FAME). They are also designed to be ready for retrofit to methanol operation as green fuel should that be desired at a later stage. The 32/44CR’s SaCoS 5000 engine automation system enables it to fulfill cybersecurity requirements and facilitates remote technical support.

Each main engine will have a power output of 600 kW per cylinder and comes integrated with MAN Energy Solutions’ proprietary LP-SCR (Low-Pressure Selective Catalytic Reduction) system that is expected to deliver NOX-reduction rates of up to 90% in fulfilling the latest IMO environmental requirements, according to MAN ES. Each engine will drive a MAN Alpha VBS1260 CP propeller via a Flender GUCK-1560 gearbox.

Each vessel will also feature MAN auxiliary engines in the form of 2 × 8L23/30H Mk2 (at 900 rpm) and 1 × 6L23/30H Mk2 (at 720 rpm) GenSets. MAN Energy Solutions licensee. CSSC Marine Power Co. (CMP) will build these engines in China.

“This entire project is testimony to the excellent, decades-long cooperation between GTS and MAN Energy Solutions. It’s a notable feather in our cap to have been selected as propulsion-system supplier for these ice-classed newbuilds,” Lex Nijsen, Vice President, Marine Europe and Americas – MAN Energy Solutions, said.

“The MAN 32/44CR engine maintains high efficiency at all times and there is no fuel penalty or de-rating when operating the SCR system, especially with HFO. This is in great part due to the lower temperature that MAN SCR solutions operate at and that meet the highest emission standards,” Christian Kamm, Sales Manager Europe, Marine – MAN Augsburg, stated.

“In this particular order, we are using our newest technology by fitting the ships with water-lubricated stern tubes. In doing so, we are ensuring that there is no ‘oil-to-water interface’, eliminating any possibility of oil leaks and boosting the owner’s green profile. Such stern tubes are one of the biggest eco-trends that we foresee in the market and we have proven technology available based on our great experience with naval vessels where this solution has been used for many years,” Jens Munch, Sales Manager, MAN Alpha Frederikshavn – MAN Energy Solutions noted.

The construction of the 199-meter Swedish Fartygskonstruktioner AB-designed newbuildings is set to start at Xiamen Shipbuilding with delivery scheduled from mid-2025 onward. The order includes options for an additional two vessels.

GTS is a Bremen-based shipping company with a fleet consisting of 14 modern oil-product tankers. All built in Germany, nine vessels sail under the German flag and the other five under that of the Seychelles. GTS manages all its tankers.