Doosan Engine has successfully handed over the new ME-GI engine to National Steel and Shipbuilding Company (NASSCO) shipyard in San Diego, US.
Claimed to be the world’s first dual-fuel, low-speed engine, the ME-GI engine has been designed to operate on LNG and/or bunker C oil.
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The new engine, which has been developed as part of an order placed in 2013, will be installed on the first of two 3,100TEU container ships ordered by the marine transportation company, TOTE.
Prior to delivery, the new engine was put through design, manufacture and test-run stages, followed by its successful official trial run earlier this month.
The engine’s fuel gas supply system, which has 300 bar of operating pressure, was also tested. It cleared all regulations and restrictions as per the American Bureau of Shipping and United States Coast Guard.
The eco-friendly engine also helps reduce carbon dioxide, nitrogenous compound and sulphur compounds compared to existing diesel engines.
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By GlobalDataTOTE had placed a contract with NASSCO in December 2012 for the construction of two new 3,100TEU containerships, including an option for three more vessels.
The company plans to operate the single 8L70ME-GI dual-fuel gas-powered engine vessels between Florida and Puerto Rico, primarily for domestic services.
Doosan is building the ME-GI engine under license from MAN Diesel & Turbo, which is also developing an ME-LGI engine counterpart that uses LPG and methanol.
Image: TOTE’s 3,100TEU container ships will be designed by DSEC and are scheduled for delivery between 2014 and 2016. Photo: courtesy of General Dynamics NASSCO.
