MAN Energy Solutions has signed an agreement with Alfa Laval to develop a methanol fuel-supply solution for MAN four-stroke engines and its fuel-injection technology.
As a result, the first four-stroke engine types will be capable of retrofit to methanol operation from 2025.
The agreement follows on from a previous collaboration between MAN Energy Solutions and Alfa Laval for a methanol solution for two-stroke marine engines.
This system has so far had 150,000 hours of operation at sea.
“Alfa Laval supports all types of customer at all stages of the fuel transition by adapting our technology to support their choice of engine and fuel,” said Viktor Friberg, head of marine separation and fuel supply systems, Alfa Laval.
New solution
“We are proud to cooperate with MAN Energy Solutions in developing this new solution, which follows our long-standing and successful relationship within two-stroke marine engines.”
Bernd Siebert, head of retrofit and upgrades, MAN Energy Solutions, added: “Enabling the switch to low-carbon fuel is a great way to decarbonise the maritime fleet.
“Now we want to support our customers and make methanol-running just as possible for four-stroke engines.”
In the new venture, Alfa Laval will provide the LFSS itself, as well as the control system, fuel-valve train, and auxiliary functions like the purging system.
It will initially design and build a prototype at its facility in Monza, Italy before delivering it for testing on a methanol engine at MAN Energy Solutions facilities in Augsburg, Germany, in early 2024.
