How retrofitted LNG engines sustain the planet
Something has changed inside the Hedy Lamarr. This massive ferry has a new beating heart, ready for a sustainable future. It is already the third Baleària ferry with a retrofitted engine that drastically reduces carbon and NOx emissions. Additionally, the engineers breathed new life into the engine. Join us in the engine room and discover every nook and cranny of this MAN Energy Solutions project.
LNG helps shipping companies sail into a sustainable future
Built in 2010, the Hedy Lamarr is one of the main ferries of Baleària, the leading shipping company in Spain, with routes that link Mainland Spain with the Balearic Islands, Canary Islands, Ceuta, and further international harbors. It can hold 2,860 linear meters of rolling cargo and achieves a speed of up to 24 knots. Over five months, this impressive ferry became even more impressive in 2021/2022: it is now equipped with dual-fuel engines operating on LNG. Christoph Sonnauer and Peter Sailer supervised the retrofit, consisting of the complete dismantling of the existing MAN 48/60 engines and their modification to MAN 51/60DF engines with turbochargers and automation components.
BALEÀRIA is very satisfied with the work carried out together with MAN to retrofit three of our ferries with dual engines — which has been done very efficiently and on a very tight schedule — and with the performance of these engines. We are confident in the sustainable success of Hedy Lamarr in the coming future.
A pioneering project with a great team
Final retrofitted engine – ready to run on gas.
The collaboration with Baleària, the involved partners Cotenaval, Cryonorm, WestSea, among others and all relevant MAN departments was outstanding and basis for the success of the dual-fuel retrofit projects.
This retrofit involved massive teams who worked together seamlessly. Additionally, the COVID-19 restrictions exacerbated the need for a well-thought-out project. This project was scheduled when supply chains were strained, and necessary work had to be structured safely with the pandemic in mind. Despite the added difficulties, all involved departments, partners, and teams finished the project impeccably.
Our team needed to manufacture, purchase, deliver and install around 4,500 single parts per vessel all in the context of COVID-19 restrictions. Despite the scope and logistics involved, the project demonstrates how LNG conversions can deliver carbon and NOx emission reductions here and now.
Gas conversion: shipping companies become more sustainable with LNG
Liquefied natural gas (LNG) is natural gas that has been cooled down to liquid form. This process makes it easier and safer to transport – and an attractive alternative to marine heavy fuel oil. Moving away from oil frees you from a volatile market and potentially high costs. The infrastructure for this technology is also expanding: LNG terminals for ship fuel are becoming more common, and ship-to-ship refuels are a reality with LNG bunker ships.
Why decarbonization is an excellent opportunity for shipping companies
MAN Energy Solutions aims to create opportunities for decarbonization across all sectors. Especially shipping companies have a massive potential with ship engine retrofit-upgrades: saving fuel costs, reducing emissions, and extending the engines' life simultaneously. MAN PrimeServ connects all of these opportunities into a robust service package. It covers the on-site service of ship engines, their maintenance work, and the constant digital supervision by software and experts.
Talk to our experts if you also want to retrofit your engines for the future!
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