Hydrogen-Powered Feeder Container Vessels to be Equipped With MAN 175D GenSets

Cochin Shipyard Ltd (CSL), the largest shipbuilding and maintenance facility in India, has ordered 2 × 2 × MAN 12V175D-MEV variable-speed GenSets in connection with the building of two short-sea feeder container ships for global logistics company, Samskip Group, headquartered in Rotterdam.

Known as the SeaShuttle project, the vessels will be among the first of their kind globally to be powered by individual 3.2 MW hydrogen fuel-cell-based energy systems. The MAN GenSets will act as a back-up, forming a diesel-electric propulsion plant with a permanent magnet generator.

In the company’s own press release, Are Gråthen, CEO, Samskip Norway, said: “Samskip is very proud to take the lead role in pioneering the SeaShuttle initiative as part of its ‘making green logistics easy’ strategy. [This] provides a platform to make emissions-free container shipping a reality. […] In line with commitments given at COP26 Clydebank Declaration, SeaShuttle would create what amounted to one of Europe’s first zero-emission ‘green corridors’.”

The 135-metre, 500 teu ships are due for delivery in Q3 and Q4 of 2025, respectively, and will operate between Oslo Fjord and Rotterdam, a distance of approximately 700 nautical miles. They will furthermore be capable of being remotely controlled and come autonomous-ready.

Florian Keiler, Head of High Speed, MAN Energy Solutions, said: “This is a groundbreaking project, which sets new standards for environmentally friendly shipping. In that vein, our engines are capable of running on bio-fuels like HVO and B100 and showcase our green credentials in pursuing decarbonisation. We congratulate Samskip and CSL on this exciting venture and look forward to working closely with them.”

The 175D is a variable-speed GenSet with high efficiency, even at low loads, inherent fuel efficiency and low emissions. As the engine with the lowest total cost of ownership in the market, the high-speed engines will each come integrated with compact, flexible and closed-loop MAN SCR (Selective Catalytic Reduction) systems.

Furthermore, MAN Energy Solutions states that the engines have the lowest lube-oil consumption on the market with long oil-change intervals and best-in-class times-between-overhauls (TBOs).

About the MAN 175D engine

MAN Energy Solutions has developed the MAN 175D engine range to supplement and complete its product portfolio in the maritime sector. Available in three variants of 12-, 16- and 20-cylinders, the engine is available with an output ranging from 1,500 to 4,400 Kilowatts and is optimised for propelling ferries, offshore support ships, tugs and other working vessels. Other market areas, such as superyachts, planing yachts and naval marine applications are also served by additional engine variants.

The 175D is also an extremely eco-friendly engine, having been designed from the outset for low fuel consumption, coupled with compliance to the latest exhaust-gas-emission standards and considering as well future-fuel requirements where it is already cleared for operation on biofuels, such as FAME and HVO.

About Samskip

Samskip offers pan-European, environmentally-responsible, combined-transport services via shortsea, road, rail and inland waterway routes. It is committed to cost-effectiveness, operational excellence and best practice in sustainable transport. High-frequency services connect destinations across Europe, the Baltic States, Iceland and Faroes Island, both door-to-door (including collection) and quay-to-quay, transported using a wide range of owned vessels, containers, trucks and trailers.