MAN Energy Solutions has announced the successful conclusion of the Type Approval Test (TAT) for its dual-fuel retrofit kit for its MAN 32/40 engine type. The TAT took place at the company’s Augsburg, Germany works from September 15^th to 18^th, 2020 with the participation of the three classification societies: DNV GL, American Bureau of Shipping, and Lloyd’s Register.

The TAT confirmed the suitability of the retrofit kit for converting the company’s field-proven MAN 32/40 engine into a dual-fuel unit – a so-called MAN 32/40R-DF type – that can now run on fossil and renewable, gaseous fuels, in addition to conventional fuel oil. MAN Energy Solutions confirms that the new retrofit package is already available to order.

In a unique first, on account of the covid-19 pandemic, the TAT was primarily held online. Classification-society representatives followed proceedings remotely and only visited the testbed on the final day for component inspection and TAT certificate signing.

Dr Matthias Auer, Head of Performance and Emission, R&D 4-Stroke at MAN Energy Solutions, said: “Our special thanks goes to all our colleagues who made this retrofit project such a success and who helped us reach this important milestone, despite the difficult circumstances posed by COVID-19. Hosting this event virtually presented a new challenge that they met admirably and the feedback from the participating classification societies has been very positive.”

Bernd Siebert – Head of Engineering, After-Sales Marine – MAN Energy Solutions, said: “This is another important milestone for the retrofit business at MAN Energy Solutions, offering our customers the possibility to convert their existing fleet to gas. The momentum towards cleaner and less carbon-intensive fuels is building and we are excited to play our part in developing appropriate solutions.”

Project background

MAN Energy Solutions has received many requests from customers to retrofit their MAN 32/40CD engines to gas/dual-fuel operation. These focus on a financially attractive and very price-competitive solution that is quick to convert and highly fuel-flexible, while maintaining the engine maximum-output.

With the successful TAT, the company has now developed an easy-to-retrofit, reliable and robust conversion-kit designed to operate primarily on gas – mainly boil-off gas. The new retrofit meets IMO Tier I emission limits and has been designed such that engine conversions can be carried out while dry-docking or sailing.

The Maritime Energy Transition

MAN Energy Solutions believes that it is time for what it terms a ‘Maritime Energy Transition’ to find clean, low-carbon and decarbonised solutions for seaborne trade and transportation. Essentially, it is the company’s call to action to reduce emissions and establish low-carbon – and eventually carbon-free – fuels as the fuels of choice in global shipping. It strongly promotes greenhouse-gas reduction in the maritime sector, driven by the IMO, and a common approach by the shipping industry and politics to invest in infrastructure development and retrofits.