LNG-Fueled Bulk Carrier Delivered

The world’s first liquefied natural gas (LNG)-fueled bulk carrier, powered by a single MAN B&W 6G50ME-GI two-stroke engine, has been delivered.

The Ilshin Green Iris was constructed at Hyundai Mipo Dockyard (HMD) in Korea for Ilshin Logistics and is the result of a project, announced in July 2016, to develop the first in a new generation of environmentally-friendly LNG-fuelled bulk carriers. The vessel was chartered by steelmaker POSCO to transport limestone cargoes in the Korean coastal trade.

“We are very pleased to be part of this exciting project and to see our dual-fuel ME-GI engine win favor in yet another market segment. We look forward to following its progress,” said Bjarne Foldager, vice president, Sales & Promotion, Two-Stroke Business at MAN Diesel & Turbo.

The Ilshin Green Iris has a Type ‘C’ LNG fuel tank with a capacity of 500 m³ and comprised of a material – high-manganese austenitic steel – newly developed by POSCO that is specially designed for cryogenic LNG and liquefied gas-storage applications.

MAN Diesel & Turbo’s ME-GI (-Gas Injection) engine, with over 200 engines ordered are used fo propulsion engines aboard – among others – LNG carriers, container vessels, and now bulk carriers. The ME-GI engine is designed to provide ship owners and operators with a solution within environmentally friendly and high-efficiency, two-stroke technology.

MAN Diesel & Turbo said the Diesel principle provides the ME-GI engine with high operational stability and efficiency, including during load changes and fuel change-over, while defining properties such as a stable change-over from fuel to gas with no fuel-penalties are maintained. The negligible methane slip of the ME-GI engine makes it the most environmentally friendly, two-stroke technology available.