- Methanol Integration Milestone for MAN’s L21/31 Engine.
- MAN Energy Solutions Strengthens Methanol-Fueled Engine Lineup.
- MAN’s 21/31DF-M Positioned as Preferred Genset Engine.
MAN Energy Solutions’ MAN 7L21/31DF-M (Dual Fuel-Methanol) GenSet has successfully passed its Type Approval Test (TAT) in China. The test was carried out at the Zhenjiang production site of CSSC Marine Power (CMP), MAN Energy Solutions’ licensee, and was approved by all the main classification societies in attendance, reports MAN.
Engine Concept and Design
The new methanol engine is derived from the MAN 21/31 Mk II, which is part-load optimized with world-leading specific fuel-oil consumption in the 1–2 MW range. The L21/31 engine has been established successfully, with almost 3,000 sales to date. It is capable of burning heavy fuel oil/distillate to the ISO8217:2024 specification, as well as other biofuels.
Key Development Milestone
Michael Køel Andersen, Head of Testing at MAN Energy Solutions, commented: “Integrating a methanol system into our well-proven L21/31 engine has taken around two years, including some 18 months of intense testing at MAN Energy Solutions facilities. Being able to stand here today with an approved engine and concept – despite the tight timeline and intense R&D development that was demanded – is an important milestone for our business. It also demonstrates that our GenSets are agile and ready for the future market.”
Market Position and Future Outlook
The cost-effective, port fuel injection methanol concept now positions the 21/31DF-M as the preferred medium-speed, small-bore engine for GenSet and diesel-electric propulsion. It is also considered an ideal match for MAN’s methanol-fueled, MAN B&W ME-LGIM two-stroke engine.
Hakon Juel Hansen, Manager of Global Promotion and Business Development at MAN Energy Solutions, highlighted the growing demand for dual-fuel engines: “We have seen significant growth within the dual-fuel sector, and market demand for fuel-flexible engines is strong. Sales of the 21/31DF-M have already reached double digits since its official market launch in 2024, showing that we are capable of providing solutions to power the merchant fleet in what is a period of uncertainty in terms of customer fuel-strategy.”
Commitment to Innovation and Sustainability
MAN Energy Solutions’ small-bore, four-stroke business unit has delivered over 30,000 GenSet and propulsion engines to the industry. Hansen added: “This new methanol concept will add to the volume of over 30,000 GenSet and propulsion engines already provided to industry by our small-bore, four-stroke business unit. MAN Energy Solutions has continuously brought innovative engine concepts to the market, supporting the merchant maritime industry on its path to net zero. With this successful TAT, our customers now have another means of supporting their fuel strategy.”
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Source: MAN
