The Mari Jone ME-LGI main engine (photo: Methanex)

Waterfront Shipping Company Ltd. (WFS), Marinvest/Skagerack Invest (Marinvest), Westfal-Larsen Management (WL), and Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd. (MOL) have attend the naming ceremonies and have taken delivery of the first Korean and Japanese built methanol-fuelled ocean tankers, the Lindanger, Mari Jone and Taranaki Sun.

Hyundai Mipo Dockyard hosted the Korean ship naming ceremony, while Minaminippon Shipbuilding Co., Ltd. hosted the Japanese ceremony; where all three of these 50,000 dead weight tonne vessels were built.

The vessels are built with the first-of-its kind MAN B&W ME-LGI 2-stroke dual-fuel engines that can run on methanol, fuel oil, marine diesel oil, or gas oil. The engine was developed by MAN Diesel & Turbo and is based on the company’s proven ME-series, with its approximately 5,000 engines in service. “When operating on methanol, the ME-LGI significantly reduces emissions of CO2, NOx and SOx. Additionally, any operational switch between methanol and other conventional fuels is seamless,” states Ole Grøne Senior Vice President, Head of Marketing and Sales, MAN Diesel & Turbo.

With the growing demand for cleaner marine fuel to meet environmental regulations, methanol is a promising alternative fuel for ships that can meet the industry’s increasingly stringent emissions regulations. Methanol is a biodegradable, clean-burning marine fuel that significantly reduces smog-causing emissions such as particulates, sulphur oxides and nitrogen oxides.

“This is just the beginning of our investment in this clean, innovative marine technology. We’re excited to explore fuel diversification and provide our customers with options through dual-fuel engines,” states Patrik Mossberg, Chairman, Marinvest. “We are pleased to be in Korea for its first methanol-fueled ship naming ceremony. We are not only welcoming a new vessel but also a groundbreaking innovative technology to the shipping industry,” adds Rolf Westfal-Larsen, President and CEO, Westfal-Larsen Management.

“Having the delivery of the tanker with the first dual-fuel engine take place in Japan is a landmark. This is a revolutionary initiative that will move the shipping industry forward and in the right direction,” states Yoshikazu Kawagoe, Managing Executive Officer (Technical), Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd.

Tags: MAN Diesel & Turbo, Marinvest/Skagerack Invest, Waterfront Shipping Company Ltd., Westfal-Larsen Management