EMEA News
MAN Diesel Engines Bound for Greek VLCCs
A Man Diesel & Turbo (MAN Diesel) engine has passed an official shop test and will power a very large crude carrier (VLCC) due for delivery to Almi Tankers of Greece in May, the company says.
The engine, built by Hyundai Heavy Industries' HHI-EMD, is one of two that will be part of VLCCs built in South Korea's Daewoo shipyard.
The MAN B&W G80ME-C9 engines reflect a trend toward the use of larger propellers and lower speed propulsion in VLCCs, which has the potential to reduce fuel consumption by 4 to 7 percent, according to Ole Grøne, MAN Diesel's senior vice president Low-Speed Promotion & Sales.
"We also see a clear trend with focus on fuel optimisation," he said.
"VLCCs may be compatible with propellers with larger propeller diameters than current designs accommodate, and thus higher efficiencies can be achieved following an adaptation of the aft hull design to accommodate the larger propeller.
"The new, ultra-long-stroke G80ME-C9 engine type meets this trend in the VLCC market."
Industry observers have noted increased interest in large ships as bunker prices become a greater concern for owners.
