MAN PrimeServ has announced that starting in 2025, it will offer a retrofit package to convert conventional MAN four-stroke engines to dual-fuel methanol operation.
According to a press release, customers will initially be able to upgrade existing MAN 48/60 engines to the latest MAN 51/60DF engine type, which includes methanol capability.
The conversion package has been in development for some time and has undergone extensive testing at MAN’s Augsburg, Germany plant since the summer of 2024, the company stated. MAN PrimeServ plans to convert the first four-stroke engines for a pilot customer in autumn 2025, after which the package will be available to the general market.
Stefan Eefting, head of MAN PrimeServ Germany, said: “Climate-neutral shipping can only be achieved with synthetic fuels and green methanol is particularly suitable for four-stroke applications due to its favorable energy density. In this context, we have already received a large number of retrofit inquiries from customers who want to switch to methanol. With our new methanol-retrofit package, we can now offer customers an economically attractive opportunity to convert older engines to a future-proof type. In this way, we are protecting the climate together with our customers and ensure that their investments in our engines remain future-proof, with a very interesting ROI.”
Alexander Knafl, head of Engineering R&D Four-Stroke at MAN Energy Solutions, added: “We have already gained extensive experience in methanol operation with the MAN 51/60R-DF-M in a series of tests. We have achieved pleasing results in both combustion management and methanol injection and are now focusing on further optimization. Our aim is to ensure a consistently high engine efficiency, regardless of the fuel type, diesel or methanol.”
Starting in 2025, customers can convert conventional MAN 48/60 engines to the new MAN 51/60R-DF-M engines, with or without a common-rail system. These converted engines will also offer significantly higher efficiency during diesel operation and will be equipped with the latest control and safety systems from MAN Energy Solutions.
Bernd Siebert, head of retrofits and upgrades, MAN PrimeServ, said: “Converting existing engines to dual-fuel operation with synthetic fuels is of crucial importance to climate-neutral shipping. In addition to new engines, we also need concepts to decarbonize the existing fleet. After all, ships have a service life of 20 to 30 years and, from an economic point of view, retrofitting is also much more efficient than installing a new engine or building a new ship.”
