A letter of intent has been signed between Wessels Reederei and MAN Diesel & Turbo over the supply to materials to convert three container ships to LNG fuel.
Fuel conversion:
The MAN Diesel & Turbo has been playing a pivotal role in developing the World’s first conversion of a container ship’s propulsion system from heavy fuel oil (HFO) to LNG with Wessels Reederei.
Upgraded vessel running fine:
Marcel Lodder, MAN’s project engineer, said; “In June we converted the engine and the ship has been running fine since September on LNG and bunkering in Rotterdam, it’s pointing in the right direction, so therefore yesterday we signed a letter of intent for three further vessels. MAN intends to supply the material for the conversion kit of the main engines from the current 8L48/60B to 51/60DF and final steps will take place early in 2018”.
More ships opt for LNG:
Wes Amelie has 23 sister vessels that are almost identical, meaning that the conversions should be relatively simple.
The project is partially funded by the German government, which helped to make it economically feasible. Additionally, MAN recently made a pledge offering €2M (US$2.3M) for the conversion of 10 HFO engines into gas engines, meaning a €200,000 subsidy per project.
Mr.Lodder expressed, “The subsidy is made for sustainable access into the LNG market. That’s the idea behind it. The more ships use LNG as a fuel for propulsion, the more you will see that the logistics for LNG improve”.
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Source: LNG World Shipping
