[Courtesy of Hyundai Heavy Industries]
SEOUL, Feb. 06 (Aju News) -- Hyundai Heavy Industries, the world's largest shipbuilder, has forged an alliance with MAN Diesel & Turbo, a top provider of large-bore diesel engines, to develop a dual-fuel engine powered by liquefied petroleum gas that has been seen as an attractive alternative to reduce pollution.
Hyundai Heavy said Tuesday that it has signed a memorandum of understanding on business cooperation with Man Diesel & Turbo based in Augsburg, Germany, in a ceremony at its shipyard in the southeastern city of Ulsan. The two companies agreed to commercialize the two-stroke propulsion engine called ME-LGIP, capable of using both diesel and LPG fuel, for large vessels.
Hyundai Heavy said it would carry out ME-LGIP's detailed design and safety simulation based on Man Diesel & Turbo's LPG propulsion technology.
The alliance came on the heels of a global push for the development of eco-friendly engines. Under new rules imposed by International Maritime Organization (IMO), a U.N. maritime safety agency, the amount of sulfur emanating from ships should be reduced from January 1, 2020.
LPG is easy to bunker and more attractive than liquefied natural gas (LNG). South Korea and other countries are expanding infrastructure for LPG bunkering facilities,
In September last year, South Korea unveiled a state-sponsored project to build the world's largest 180,000-ton vessel powered by LNG, which is a proven commercial solution to meet ever-tightening emissions requirements. Gas carriers have used LNG as part of their fuel source and their safety record is good.
reporter
Lim Chang-won
cwlim34@ajunews.com
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