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Engines & Propulsion Systems

World’s first dual-fuel ME-GI engine makes debut

Valentine Watkins

What is possibly the world's first gas-powered container ship will lead the way for additional investments in infrastructure for liquefied natural gas.

The recent delivery of the world's first dual-fuel, low-speed ME-GI engine from Doosan Engine to the American National Steel and Shipbuilding Company (NASSCO) has set a new milestone in engine technology.

The 8L70ME- C8.2-GI main engine, which is aspirated by two TCA66 turbochargers supplied by MAN Diesel and Turbo, will power a 3,100TEU container ship ordered by American marine transport company TOTE.

The option of gas operation as well as heavy fuel oil means a significant reduction in carbon dioxide, as well as NOx and SOX emissions. Additionally, the engine is characterised as having no methane slip.

A second, identical vessel is currently under construction.

MAN Diesel and Turbo will also supply three auxiliary engines for the vessel.