CMES ordered world’s first methanol-powered engine for VLCC

China Merchants Energy Shipping (CMES), the Shanghai-listed shipping giant and subsidiary of China Merchants Heavy Industry (CMHI), has ordered a MAN B&W 7G80ME-LGIM (-Liquefied Gas Injection Methanol) main engine in connection with the construction of a VLCC (Very Large Crude Carrier), which stands for first order for dual fuel methanol for this type of ship. Dalian Shipbuilding Industry Co (DSIC) will build the ship, which is scheduled to be delivered in April 2026.

CSE (China Shipbuilding Industry Corporation Diesel Engine Co., Ltd.) will build the engine, which will be combined with MAN Energy Solutions’ patented EGR (Exhaust Gas Recirculation) emissions system.

This new order follows a recent CMES order for six 21/31DF-M seven cylinder, small bore methanol combustion generator sets for the construction of 2 PCTCs of 9,300 ceu (car equivalent units) , which in turn This followed an order for two MAN B&W ME-LGIM main engines for the same ships.

MAN Energy Solutions has developed the ME-LGIM (Liquid Gas Injection Methanol) dual-fuel engine that runs on methanol and conventional fuel. The engine is based on the company’s proven ME series, which has approximately 8,500 engines in service, and operates on the diesel principle.

When powered by green methanol, the engine offers carbon-neutral propulsion for large merchant marine vessels. There are currently over 150 ME-LGIM engines on order or in service, of which over 70 are G95ME-LGIM Mk 10.5 variants.