SNG: Synthetic gas for the maritime transition
A viable path to decarbonization
MAN Energy Solutions is driving the maritime energy transition with technologies for low-carbon fuels, including green engines and retrofits. Our synthetic natural gas (SNG) solutions offer you a clear path to low-carbon shipping.
From HFO to LNG to SNG
Most of the world's ships run on heavy fuel oil (HFO). The climate crisis has made it essential to find low-carbon alternatives. In recent years, liquefied natural gas (LNG) has become the alternative of choice, but it still a fossil fuel that produces greenhouse gases (GHG). SNG is a new low-carbon alternative. SNG is chemically the same as the main combustible constituent of LNG, so it can used as a direct replacement or blended with LNG, depending on the supply.
SNG as maritime fuel
SNG is optimally suited for the two- and four-stroke dual-fuel engines in MAN’s range and ideal for ships that already run on LNG and aim to save additional emissions. Achieving fuel supply aboard ship is straightforward enough with the right equipment – as with LNG. The new gaseous fuel has to be held at cryogenic temperatures prior to bunkering (-162°C). However, an already established LNG infrastructure can also be used for fueling with SNG.
Reference case: ElbBLUE
World’s first use of SNG in commercial shipping
In September 2021, the 1,036-TEU vessel ElbBLUE, which had been retrofitted with a four-stroke MAN 51/60 dual-fuel engine in 2017, also became the first container ship worldwide to use climate-neutral SNG on a commercial trip. The ship replaced approximately 50% of its bunkered gas fuel with SNG from the Kiwi AG plant in Wertle, Germany. The test proved that any LNG-retrofitted ship can run on carbon-neutral fuels generated by Power-to-X technology.
Read moreManaging Methane Slip
Does the issue of methane slip affect the climate benefits of LNG as an engine fuel for marine applications? Download this paper and find out more about the various countermeasures the company has taken for this purpose.
Synthetic natural gas (SNG) can be derived from fossil fuels and biomass via gasification and methanation processes. SNG can also be produced by, for example, renewable or surplus energy in power-to-gas systems. Biogases are produced from biomass and waste products – and the resulting liquefied fuels can be referred to as BioLNG or LBG (liquefied biogas) and sometimes LBM (liquefied biomethane).
Main advantages:
- SNG and Biogas have the same low NOx, SOx and particulate matter emissions as LNG, but they can be CO2 neutral depending on the feedstock and conversion energy source
- Depending on the source fuel, SNG and Biogas can be a carbon-neutral substitute for fossil fuels
- SNG and Biogas can be blended with LNG to gradually reduce the CO2 footprint
- Considered to be excellent bridging fuels during the ongoing energy transition
Focus areas:
- The availability of SNG and Biogas as bunker fuel
- Increase of production capacities Read more
Solutions / technologies by MAN Energy Solutions:
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Other future fuels
Related news
Methane-Fuelled ME-GI Engines Continue to Lead Way with Lowest Methane Slip and Highest Fuel Efficiency
New Times Shipbuilding Co. Ltd. of Jiangsu province, China has ordered 12 × 8G95ME-GI (-Gas Injection) Mk10.5 main engines in connection with the construction of 12 × 18,000 teu container vessels for Eastern Pacific Shipping (EPS), the Singapore-based shipping company.
Bjarne Foldager – Country Manager, Denmark – MAN Energy Solutions, said: “This new, sizable order reflects the great momentum the ME-GI engine has experienced during the building boom that the Very Large Container Vessel segment is currently experiencing. EPS is an old acquaintance of MAN Energy Solutions with whom we have built an excellent relationship over the years. This is just the latest in a series of mutual, recent ME-GI projects and we thank them for placing their trust in us again.”
Thomas S. Hansen – Head of Two-Stroke Sales and Promotion – MAN Energy Solutions, said: “The ME-GI’s mature technology brings a number of advantages to the table, not least its guaranteed, extremely low levels of methane slip that make it the most future-proof methane engine on the market. It also has the highest fuel efficiency in its class, which explains why the G95ME-GI Mk10.5 has been specified for more than 60 Very Large Container Vessel newbuilds in just the past two months. The ME-GI is furthermore capable of operating on bio-methane and synthetic natural gas that render it net-zero and provide a viable decarbonisation pathway for shipowners.”
The ME-GI engine – the industrial standard
MAN Energy Solutions successful ME-GI (-Gas Injection) engine has set a new industrial standard for two-stroke propulsion engines aboard – among others – RoRo vessels, PCTCs, container vessels, bulk carriers, tankers and LNG carriers. The ME-GI engine provides ship owners, charterers and operators with a peerless solution within environmentally friendly and high-efficiency, two-stroke technology but without the prominent methane-slip emissions that are characteristic of competing engines.
The Diesel principle not only provides the ME-GI engine with high operational stability and efficiency, but also ensures 100% reliable operation during load changes on gas with just normal additions of pilot-oil amounts. Furthermore, the ME-GI operational principles features a seamless change-over between gas and diesel operation. The ME-GI engine is the most environmentally-friendly technology available within the LNG-fuelled, two-stroke engine segment.
MAN Energy Solutions has also developed an ME-LGI (-Liquid Gas Injection) dual-fuel engine that expands the company’s dual-fuel portfolio, enabling the use of sustainable fuels such as green methanol.
Documents
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PR ME-GI Container momentum_EN
Contact
Nils Søholt
Trade Press Marine
Group Communications & MarktingEverllenceTeglholmsgade 412450 Copenhagen SVDenmark
nils.soeholt@everllence.com t +45 33 85 26 69Available languages
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Methane-fuelled MAN B&W ME-GI two-stroke engine
The MAN B&W ME-GI has been in service for more than a decade already, and with a continuous focus on optimizing the engine design, it remains a preferred choice across vessel segments and sizes.
Watch the recording of our two-stroke MAN ExpertTalk where we take a closer look at the new 10.7 engine platform, the improved gas return system, and general engine availability.
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