ORNL, Caterpillar Collaborate on Methanol as Fuel for Marine Engines
A collaboration between Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) and Caterpillar Inc. will investigate using methanol as an alternative fuel source for marine vessels.Members of the research team kicked off the project with the installation of a 6-cylinder engine at the Department of Energy’s National Transportation Research Center at ORNL.The ORNL and Caterpillar collaboration focuses on a four-stroke internal combustion marine engine that will be modified to run on methanol.Although methanol has many advantages, it is more difficult to ignite than diesel.
MAN Provides Gensets for Hybrid Cable-Laying Vessel
Shipbuilder and designer VARD has ordered 4 × MAN 12V175D-MEM gensets in connection with the building of a new purpose-built, cable-laying vessel (CLV) for Danish subsea specialit NCT Offshore.The gensets will form part of the vessel’s diesel-electric DP2 propulsion system, which also includes a hybrid battery package.The high-speed 175D gensets will each come accompanied by compact MAN selective catalytic reduction systems. Furthermore, MAN Energy Solutions states that the engines…
WinGD Wins First AiP for Ammonia Two-Stroke Engine
WinGD has secured the first ever approval in principle (AiP) for two‑stroke engines fuelled with ammonia.Lloyd’s Register awarded the AiP to WinGD’s X-DF-A dual-fuel range, and WinGD says this gives shipowners the assurances they need to realise vessel designs using ammonia-fuelled main engines. The first engine to be developed, the 52-bore X52DF-A, will be available for delivery from Q4 2024 and is applicable to a range of vessels including gas and bulk carriers.WinGD was able…
J-ENG Opens Customer Support Center in China
Japan Engine Corporation (J-ENG) has opened a customer support center in Shanghai, China.The center aims to strengthen after-sales service for vessels equipped with UE engines in China as well as providing further support for Chinese UE licensees.J-ENG has been strongly promoting global expansion and is focused on expanding the market share of its UE engines in China. Increased orders in China have established the foundation for continuous production for the engines. Chinese UE licensees have received orders for 184 units, mainly for Chinese coastal vessels (i.e.
WinGD Enhances Fuel-Flexible Efficiency with Variable Compression Ratio
Swiss marine power company WinGD has introduced a core engine technology that eliminates the need for ship operators to compromise on optimal combustion when using multiple fuels.Variable Compression Ratio (VCR), jointly developed with Mitsui E&S DU Co (MESDU), will be installed on a vessel powered by an X62DF engine and then rolled out across selected engines of the X-DF engine portfolio.An engine’s compression ratio is usually a fixed parameter, playing a direct role in power and fuel efficiency.
SCR Retrofit Enables Cruise Ship to be Tier III Compliant
MAN Energy Solutions’ after-sales division, MAN PrimeServ, has completed a retrofit aboard the Ambience, a vessel belonging to Ambassador Cruise lines, managed by Bernhard Schulte Cruise Services.The scope of the project covered the installation of Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) systems, while two of the ship’s four MAN 8L58/64 engines replaced their NA57/T turbochargers with modern MAN TCA 66 units.The order came about when Ambassador took over Ambience with the intention…
MHI-MME Celebrates 20th Anniversary of MET Turbocharger License with HHI
Mitsubishi Heavy Industries’ machinery company (MHI-MME) has presented Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI) with a model of an MET turbocharger rotor to celebrate the companies' 20th licence anniversary.HHI has been the world’s largest manufacturer of marine engines since it produced its first 2-stroke diesel marine engine in 1979. Today, its engine division, based in Ulsan, manufactures a large number of diesel engines for major ship builders in South Korea and China. Many of those diesel engines are equipped with MET turbochargers…
ABS, DSME Working to Replace VLCC Diesel Generators with Solid Oxide Fuel Cells
Maritime classification society American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) and South Korea's shipbuilder Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering (DSME) have signed a joint development project to use Solid Oxide Fuel Cell (SOFC) technology to replace at least one of three diesel generators typically onboard a Very Large Crude Carrier (VLCC)."It’s the second SOFC-focused JDP between ABS and DSME, with the first collaboration in 2019 revealing the high efficiency of a SOFC and gas turbine hybrid system due to the re-use of hot exhaust off-gas…
Fairbanks Morse Wins Contract to Supply Main Engines for LPD 31
U.S.-based Fairbanks Morse said it has been awarded a purchase order by Huntington Ingalls Industries (HII) to build and deliver the four main propulsion diesel engines that will power the U.S. Navy’s newest San Antonio Class Landing Platform/Dock (LPD) ship, LPD 31. The ship is the second of 13 in the LPD Flight II class of ships.The four sequentially turbocharged 16-cylinder FM | Colt-Pielstick PC 2.5 diesel engines feature common rail fuel injection technology and will deliver over 31 MW of propulsion power.
Making the Case for Diesel Outboards
Now more than ever, professional operators are opting to run outboard engines on a various small military craft, patrol boats, multi-mission workboats and other vessels that have traditionally been powered by small to midsized inboard engines.Using engines that can be mounted on the outside of a vessel instead of those requiring placement inside the hull presents a number of advantages, including space savings on board, easier access for maintenance as well as simpler, quicker replacement…
Cox’s Diesel Outboard Enters Production
UK-based engine manufacturer Cox Powertrain said its purpose-designed 300hp CXO300 diesel outboard engine has entered production following several years of development and testing.Production will commence in Cox Powertrain’s headquarters and assembly and test facilities in Shoreham, West Sussex UK. The assembly plant boasts a turnkey Production System developed by QM Systems Ltd, a maker of manufacturing and test systems across all industries. The production line's ‘no faults forward’ design removes the possibility of assembly error…
Carbon Fiber Cowling for Cox Powertrain's CXO300
The exceptional performance and innovative features of British marine specialist Cox Powertrain’s high-perfromance diesel outboard have now been topped with stylish good looks following the creation of a robust, contemporary-styled carbon fiber cowling. Created by high-precision specialist, CPC Group, which works with high-profile names including Ducati, McLaren and Porsche, the durable, lightweight protective housing is available in black or white.Images of the CXO300’s final styling have now been released ahead of its imminent production launch this year.
Concierge Yacht Repair, Service and Maintenance for Engine Rooms
As vessels increase in size, engine rooms increase in complexity. With superyachts approaching the size of small ships, qualified engineers with commercial and military experience operating larger vessels effectively prevent and troubleshoot problems.FHG Marine Engineering (FHGME) is a niche contractor with a business model providing concierge mobile preventative and routine yacht maintenance with emergency repair to luxury yachts in South Florida, minimizing downtime for vessels with 24-7 operations.
New Deere Marine Engine Ships
John Deere Power Systems is shipping the new PowerTech 4045SFM85 marine engine to boat owners and builders. The manufacturer touts the PowerTech 4045SFM85's power-to-weight, torque and compact size, saying it is suited for planing and semi-displacement hulls.The PowerTech 4045SFM85 engine has two ratings:-- M4 rating with 205 kW (275 hp) at 2600 rpm and-- M5 rating with 235 kW (315 hp) at 2800 rpm. These ratings are ideal for light-duty commercial vessels, high-speed governmental applications and high-speed pleasure crafts.