“We initiated this ME-GA project in late 2017 when we recognised a strong market desire for a lower-cost alternative to the ME-GI engine, driven primarily by the LNG carrier market. Crucially, this new supplement to our dual-fuel portfolio continues our mission to decarbonise shipping and further the maritime energy transition to sustainable fuels,” commented Wayne Jones OBE, Chief Sales Officer, MAN Energy Solutions.

The latest engine is an Otto-cycle version of the company's ME-GI engine, which is intended to run on LNG and fuel oil.

In gas-operation mode, the ME-GA engine is inherently Tier II and Tier III compliant, according to the engine manufacturer. Exhaust Gas Recirculation is available on the engine to completely exploit its dual-fuel potential in Tier III areas (EGR).

By the end of this year, MAN Energy Solutions hopes to begin testing the first commercial ME-GA concept, with the first engine arriving in early 2022.

The ME-GA is expected to become normal among LNG carriers, according to Bjarne Foldager, Senior Vice President and Head of Two-Stroke Business.

From the 155 engines (6.3 GW) currently in operation, the company's range of two-stroke, dual-fuel engines has accumulated over 1.6 million operating hours – all running on renewable fuels including LNG, LPG, ethane, and methanol.

With the current state of fuel prices and availability, MAN Energy Solutions believes that retrofitting to dual-fuel engines will become increasingly important.

Maritime Business World