LNG

German marine engine maker MAN Energy Solutions, a supplier of propulsion for many of the world’s LNG-powered vessels as well as the most modern LNG carriers,
has signed a cooperation agreement with two South Korean companies.

MAN Energy said its accord with shipbuilder Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering (DSME) and the South Korean engine-maker HSD Engine, formerly the Doosan Engine Company, have signed a strategic agreement to cooperate in the computerized aspects of marine engine systems.

MAN Energy, whose main shipping solutions base is in Denmark, has a market-leading two-stroke, dual-fuel portfolio.

It recently confirmed landmark sales of more than 250 dual-fuel engines, all running on liquefied natural gas or other clean fuels such as liquefied petroleum gas or methanol.

Man Energy is best known in the LNG sector for its speciality power package in the electronically-controlled, gas-injection (MEGI) engine for LNG carriers and other vessels.

The signing of the Man Energy, DSME and HSD Engine digitization agreement took place in Copenhagen.

The three companies aim to cooperate in areas such as the programming of marine engine solution and auxiliary systems data, the collection and analysis of the data and the integration of it with smart-ship platforms and intelligent diagnostic solutions.

“MAN Energy is determined to drive the digital transition of the marine industry”, said Brian Ostergaard Sørensen, Head of Research and Development in the two-stroke business at MAN.

“We strongly believe that this transition can best be achieved through cooperation and collaboration including customers and providers across the industry,” added Sørensen.

“The agreement at hand is a step in this direction and brings together market leading expertise in the fields of shipbuilding and engine design, manufacturing and operation to explore options for a joint digital development in an important segment of the maritime market,” he stated.

MAN, based in Augsburg, Germany, is a subsidiary of the Volkswagen Group and its Man Energy Solutions unit was formerly known as MAN Diesel & Turbo and was rebranded a year ago.

“DSME is conducting R&D activities to combine digital technology to various fields in shipbuilding including collaboration with marine engine makers,” said DSME’s R&D division.

The Korean shipbuilder also emphasized the need for continuous innovation to enhance DSME’s technological leadership in shipping.

HSD said that through this strategic cooperation agreement, the Korean company would share its own service experiences with DSME and MAN Energy Solutions.

“Furthermore, we will also continue our role as a pioneer engine manufacturer in the field of smart ships in order to serve our customers a real-time monitoring service with remote support through the advanced engine diagnosis technology,” added HSD.