MAN Energy Solutions will begin developing retrofit solutions for medium-speed marine engines as part of a research association including WTZ Roßlau gGmbh and TU-Darmstadt.
The three-year research project, ‘CliNeR-ECo’, is funded by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action (BMWK) and the initial work has already commenced since the beginning of 2023.
CliNeR-ECo aims to develop concepts for diverse, medium-speed, marine engines that will enable the retrofitting of entire ship fleets at reasonable economic and technical costs.
Additionally, the project is focussing on the climate-neutral fuel, methanol, which is produced from green hydrogen with the intention being that results should quickly spawn other developmental projects for series production.
Thus, MAN Energy Solutions is planning a first retrofit project based on a MAN 48/60 engine. The first retrofit of a fully functional test engine is scheduled to reach the testbed in 2024.
In this way, shipowners will be offered solutions that will enable their existing fleets to comply with future greenhouse gas emission targets, which are expected to be set by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) and the European Union.
Christian Kunkel, head of combustion development, R&D Four-Stroke Engines at MAN Energy Solutions commented, “Electrification of the maritime industry is only possible in niche segments but not in so-called ‘long-distance shipping. Energy sources such as carbon-neutral methanol and ammonia will therefore play a prominent role in the maritime sector in the future.”
