At an online ceremony on
February 27th, 2024, MAN Energy Solutions
and China Classification Society (CCS) signed a sub-agreement in line with the
Strategic Framework Agreement (SFA) the two parties previously agreed in
September 2023 in Beijing. The SFA, on ‘Decarbonisation and Digitalisation in
the maritime industry’, is scheduled to last for five years.
The new sub-agreement –
the third such between the companies – covers MAN Energy Solutions’ new
MAN L21/31DF-M (Dual-Fuel Methanol) GenSet designed at the company’s Danish
site in Holeby. It provides for a collaboration between the two companies that
will support the new engine in the Chinese market, including all activities
associated with its planned Type Approval Test (TAT) in China in Q4, 2024.
MAN Energy
Solutions’ Classification Department in Copenhagen hosted the Sub-agreement
signing. Marine Product
Department General Manager, Jiang Botao, and Jiangsu Plan Approval Center
Manager, Sun Qun, signed on behalf of CCS; while
Finn Fjeldhøj, Senior Manager and Site Manager, Holeby, and Lars Ascanius,
Senior Manager, Two-Stroke Engine Lifecycle Management, signed on behalf of MAN
Energy Solutions.
Jiang Botao said:
“MAN Energy Solutions, as a globally-renowned ship equipment manufacturer,
takes the lead in the technological advancement of marine alternative-fuel
engines and has long been one of CCS's most important partners. The
introduction of the MAN L21/31 DF-M methanol dual-fuel engine provides
shipowners with more choices to achieve their decarbonisation goals. We much
appreciate MAN Energy Solutions’ contribution and believe that the
collaboration between it and CCS in alternative-fuel engines will surely make
further contributions to a more sustainable future for the global maritime
industry.”
Sun Qun said: “We
have witnessed an increased interest in methanol-fuelled ships in recent years
as methanol is an important alternative fuel for greenhouse-gas-emissions
reduction. We are delighted to collaborate with MAN Energy Solutions, the
leading marine-power solution provider, on this methanol dual-fuel engine to
contribute to ship safety and maritime decarbonisation. CCS is fully committed
to working with MAN Energy Solutions to complete the approval and delivery of
this type of methanol dual-fuel engine.”
Fjeldhøj said: “The MAN L21/31
engine is well-established in the market having notched some 2,750 sales to
date. With the shipping market currently experiencing an increased interest in
methanol as marine fuel, we feel that the introduction of this dual-fuel engine
is timely. This collaboration with CCS will provide great support to the
new MAN L21/31 DF-M variant upon its entry to the Chinese market.”
Ascanius said: “It is very
positive news for MAN Energy Solutions that we can now reveal this new
development with China Classification Society, whom we greatly value as an
esteemed partner. This latest announcement represents a further step towards a
multi-fuel, decarbonised future that is quickly becoming a prominent
consideration for shipowners in all vessel segments and sizes.”
SFA background
The Strategic Framework
Agreement is designed as a umbrella agreement that enables MAN Energy Solutions
and CCS to add sub-agreements as required. Since its original signing, and
prior to this new agreement, the two companies have added two other
sub-agreements. The first covers the introduction of MAN Energy Solutions’
two-s troke methanol engine to the CCS Global Fleet; and the second covers
changes to Class Rules for the CCS Global Fleet.
MAN 2131DF-M
The 21/31DF-M is based on a
simple port fuel-injection concept that optimises reliability, while
simultaneously minimising capital-outlay time. The foundation for the new
L21/31DF-M GenSet is the existing L21/31 GenSet, which has accumulated more
than 55 million operating hours with thousands of engines in service.
Furthermore, the L21/31DF-M power range spans 1,000–1,980 kW, which makes it
suitable for most merchant vessels.