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Retrofitting can reduce CO2 emissions significantly

MAN Energy Solutions is implementing retrofitting technology to convert ship and power plant engines into future-ready machines capable of running on synthetic fuels – gaseous or liquid. Upgrade solutions and advanced customized retrofits by MAN PrimeServ open a world of options. They help you optimize reliability, efficiency, and performance; they lower maintenance expenses and add operational flexibility. More importantly, they enable you to comply with increasing environmental regulations. Retrofitting an engine extends the life cycle substantially, thus abating up to 97% of CO2 compared to e.g., building a new ship.

20
%
Our retrofit solutions reduce GHG emissions by up to 20 percent
86
mio t
Potential in savings of CO2 emissions
3700
Engines have a potential for a future fuel retrofit

Keep your engines, systems, and equipment compliant and competitive 

Cargo ships and power plants are long-term investments. Retrofitted and modernized with high-value MAN Energy Solutions’ products, they become more sustainable, can continue to be used for decades, and are an attractive investment proposition.

Retrofits play an important role in the energy transition and are crucial for achieving a green fleet of ships or power plants that help to meet the targets of the Paris Agreement.

A recent study indicates that around 1,900 two-stroke and 1,800 four-stroke marine and power plant engines have the potential for a future fuels retrofit.

Maximize savings with future fuels through cutting-edge retrofit solutions 

Switching between different fuels is made easy with MAN dual fuel engines, as they are highly versatile and capable of utilizing both liquid and gaseous fuels. This flexibility empowers you to transition between fuels at your convenience, whether driven by factors like fuel costs or regulatory requirements. What's more, these engines can seamlessly switch between fuels even while operating, all without compromising engine performance. Should you wish to convert single fuel engines to dual fuel, please note that such a transformation may necessitate adjustments to your fuel supply infrastructure. Our team of MAN PrimeServ fuel experts is readily available to provide guidance and discuss the various possibilities. 

Converting existing engines to dual-fuel operation is crucial to decarbonize shipping because it’s a powerful measure that can be implemented quickly. This is an essential first step, as all such dual-fuel engines can also be enabled to operate on a range of carbon-neutral synthetic fuels, including synthetic natural gas (SNG), green ammonia and methanol. And from an economic perspective, retrofitting is much more efficient than installing a new engine or building a new ship 

Unlocking efficiency and cost savings 

Our retrofit solutions, upgrades, and services optimize investment returns. They boost efficiency as well as performance, and reduce maintenance, fuel, and lube oil costs. 

Experts in retrofitting and dual-fuel conversions

At MAN Energy Solutions, we have a long-standing experience in retrofitting engines with state-of-the-art technology. We have also pioneered the conversion of large container ships to LNG operation, for example for Hapag-Lloyd, and are currently converting engines on board of a Karadeniz Powership from heavy-fuel-oil to dual-fuel operation.

Finding the perfect fit

Beside methanole, other fuels can also be a solution for your marine application: LNG, bio fuels or amminia. Find your perfect fit now.

News about our retrofit solutions

Monday, December 9, 2024

World’s First VLCV Methanol Retrofit Represents Blueprint for Future Projects

Successful engine-retrofit of Very Large Container Vessel ‘Maersk Halifax’ to dual-fuel ME-LGIM unit

MAN Energy Solutions has announced the successful retrofit of the main engine of the ‘Maersk Halifax’ to a dual-fuel MAN B&W ME-LGIM unit. MAN PrimeServ, MAN Energy Solutions’ after-sales division, carried out the work, the first such project globally involving a VLCV (Very Large Container Vessel).

The 15,000 teu vessel entered service in 2017 and was originally powered by an MAN B&W 8G95ME-C9.5 prime mover. The retrofit to an 8G95ME-LGIM Mk10.5 engine enables the Maersk Halifax to operate on green methanol, making it possible to reduce its CO2 emissions by 90%.

The retrofit also included an upgrade to the vessel’s engine-control system to MAN Energy Solutions’ latest Triton system. Following the completion of sea-trials, Maersk Halifax has returned to operation and is now servicing A.P. Moller - Maersk’s (Maersk) Trans-Pacific trade.

Leonardo Sonzio, Head of Fleet Management and Technology at Maersk, said: “Since we set the ambitious climate goal of reaching net zero emissions by 2040, we have explored the potential in retrofitting existing vessels with dual-fuel engines. In the coming year, we will take learnings from this first conversion of a large vessel. Retrofits of existing vessels can be an important alternative to newbuilds in our transition from fossil fuels to low-emission fuels.”

The Halifax retrofit is expected to serve as a blueprint for future retrofit projects. Indeed, Maersk has already placed a preorder for MAN PrimeServ to convert an additional 10 vessels from its fleet to methanol operation.

Michael Petersen, Senior Vice President and Head of PrimeServ Denmark, praised the project collaboration with Maersk and Asia Pacific and said: “Retrofits are one of the five growth areas identified in MAN Energy Solutions’ ‘Moving Big Things To Zero’ strategy, enabling shipowners to drastically reduce CO2 emissions without having to commission newbuilds. Retrofitted engines are able to switch between fuels with minimal disruption, flexibility that is crucial for maintaining operational efficiency and reliability. At PrimeServ, we estimate that more than 4,000 existing marine engines have the potential to be converted to operation on green fuels like e-methanol and e-methane.”

Speaking at a recent event at Asia Pacific Dockyard in Zhoushan to mark the project’s conclusion, Sarath Prasannan, Senior Vice President and Head of Region Asia Pacific, said: “This groundbreaking project marks a pivotal moment in the shipping industry's journey towards decarbonisation. We hope that China's policies and infrastructure will continue to foster an environment where shipyards can carry forward this commendable work.”

About Maersk

A.P. Moller - Maersk is an integrated logistics company working to connect and simplify its customers’ supply chains. As a global leader in logistics services, the company operates in more than 130 countries and employs around 100,000 people. Maersk is aiming to reach net zero emissions by 2040 across the entire business with new technologies, new vessels, and alternative fuels.

MAN B&W 8G95ME-C9.5

Documents

  • PR PrimeServ Halifax_EN
    PDF, 469 KB English

Images

  • red_12 Rebuilding ME
    JPG, 1186 KB English
  • 7 Mission completed
    JPG, 1827 KB English

Contact

Nils Søholt

Trade Press Marine

Group Communications & MarktingMAN Energy SolutionsTeglholmsgade 412450 Copenhagen SVDenmark

t +45 33 85 26 69

Available languages

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I retrofit older vessels, or are retrofits primarily for newer ships?

Retrofits benefit vessels of all ages, not just newer ones. It extends the operational life of vessels and ensures compliance with evolving industry as well as environmental standards. Retrofit options depend on the vessel's age, condition, and design, but older ships can benefit from retrofits as well.

What are the environmental and regulatory benefits of upgrading to cleaner technologies in marine applications?

Upgrading to cleaner technologies in marine applications provides numerous environmental and regulatory benefits. This includes significant reductions in emissions of air pollutants, compliance with international regulations, improved fuel efficiency, and noise reduction. Moreover, cleaner technologies enhance safety, contribute to long-term sustainability by reducing carbon emissions, and open access to environmentally conscious markets.

What is the expected downtime during a retrofit or upgrade project?

The expected downtime during a retrofit or upgrade project varies significantly based on factors like the project’s size, customization, location, regulatory requirements, and unforeseen issues. Downtime can range from a few weeks to several months. Efficient project planning can help reduce downtime, while unforeseen problems may extend it. The goal is to strike a balance between minimizing downtime and ensuring high-quality and safe work.

Strategic expertise for global sustainability

Apart from retrofit solutions, as an integral component of our future technology portfolio, we also provide enduring core products and digitalization services. With our extensive expertise in these domains, we are mapping out the path towards a sustainable future.