MAN Energy Secures Order for Three Methanol-Fueled 21/31DF-M GenSets

MAN Energy Solutions will provide three of its 6L21/31 DF-M generator sets (gensets) for a 7,990 dwt IMO type II chemical bunker tanker’s propulsion system. The dual-fuel gensets will comprise part of a diesel-electric propulsion system for the vessel with electrical motors driving twin fixed-pitch propellers using gearboxes. Dual-fuel generator usage will be optimized with an onboard battery-storage system.

“The MAN L21/31 engine is well-established in the market having racked up some 2,750 sales. The reliability of its cost-effective, port fuel-injection concept now prominently positions the 21/31 DF-M as the preferred, medium-speed, small-bore engine for genset and diesel-electric propulsion solutions, while also meeting market demands to balance both CAPEX and OPEX,” said Thomas S. Hansen, Head of Sales and Promotion, MAN Energy Solutions. “With the shipping market currently experiencing an increased interest in methanol as marine fuel, and orders for methanol-fueled ships steadily growing as part of many companies’ decarbonization strategy, we feel that the introduction of this dual-fuel engine is timely.”

CMP, a MAN Energy licensee and an engine-manufacturing segment of the Chinese State Shipbuilding Corp., will build the methanol engines in China and the vessel is to be delivered during Q4 2025. The new chemical bunker tanker will operate under a charter at the port of Singapore to deliver marine fuels. The port anticipates a sustainable supply of methanol from 2025 and beyond to meet future bunkering requirements for methanol-fueled vessels.

“Seeing our trusted MAN L21/31 gensets go into these ships as a methanol-fueled version shows that maritime decarbonization is a prominent consideration for shipowners in all vessel segments and sizes,” said Bjarne Foldager, Country Manager, Denmark, MAN Energy Solutions. “It also clearly illustrates, regardless of the market one serves as ship owner, that our broad, dual-fuel portfolio enables everyone to take part in the green transition.”

MAN Energy’s 21/31 DF-M engine has been the subject of several deals as of late. In March 2024, the company signed a sub-agreement with the China Classification Society (CCS) that established a collaboration to support the new engine in the Chinese market, including activities associated with the planned Type Approval Test (TAT) in China in Q4, 2024. The sub-agreement falls under a Strategic Framework Agreement titled “Decarbonization and Digitalization in the Maritime Industry” and is scheduled to last for five years.

“The MAN L21/31 engine is well-established in the market having notched some 2,750 sales to date,” said Finn Fjeldhøj, Senior Manager and Site Manager, Holeby. “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.”

The 21/31 DF-M genset is based on a port fuel-injection concept that optimizes reliability while minimizing capital-outlay time. MAN Energy used the existing foundation from the L21/31 genset for the new DF-M design, as the former has accumulated more than 55 million operating hours with thousands of units in service. The DF-M variant has a power range that spans 1,000 – 1,980 kW, making it a suitable option for most merchant vessels.