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
World’s Most Powerful Methanol Engine Announced
MAN Energy Solutions has announced that it will deliver the world's most powerful two-stroke methanol engine in June 2025. The engine, an MAN B&W 12G95ME-C10.5-LGIM (-Liquid Gas Injection Methanol) type rated at 82,440 kW @ 80rpm, is currently being built by Chinese licensee, CSSC-MES Diesel Co., Ltd. (CMD).
The engine is the first of 12 bound for a series of 12 × 24,000 teu container vessels currently under construction: seven at Nantong COSCO KHI Ship Engineering Co., Ltd. (NACKS) for shipowner, Orient Overseas Container Line Ltd. (OOCL); and five at Dalian COSCO KHI Ship Engineering Co., Ltd. (DACKS) for shipowner, COSCO Shipping Lines Co., Ltd. Each engine will also feature MAN Energy Solutions’ proprietary EGRTC (Exhaust Gas Recirculation Turbocharger Cut-out) emissions system, the largest two-string EGR system on a two-stroke engine to date.
Bjarne Foldager – Head of Two-Stroke Business – MAN Energy Solutions, said: “At MAN Energy Solutions, our vision of 'Moving Big Things to Zero' motivates everything we do in developing the engine technology to operate on those fuels vying for prominence in the future market. This latest, remarkable milestone – the world’s most powerful methanol engine – is just the latest fulfilment of that. By harnessing the potential of methanol, we are bringing the maritime industry closer to zero-emission solutions and we fully expect methanol to figure prominently as a future-fuel across all segments. Our thanks go to CMD, OOCL and COSCO Shipping, valued partners with whom we continue to share so many highlights.”
Christian Ludwig – Head of Two-Stroke Sales and Promotion – MAN Energy Solutions, said: “As we move towards a multi-fuel future, interest in methanol has grown steadily. To date, between newbuild engines and retrofits, we have won over 230 ME-LGIM references that have accumulated over 600,000 hours running on methanol alone. With ME-LGIM technology reaching 10 years in the market, it represents mature, proven technology and reflects MAN Energy Solutions’ ability to develop attractive technology to enable shipping’s carbon transition. Furthermore, while methanol produced from renewable sources is an attractive marine-fuel option due to its low carbon-intensity, an engine using green methanol can even provide carbon-neutral propulsion – adding to the benefits the ME-LGIM brings to the table.”
About the MAN B&W ME-LGIM engine
MAN Energy Solutions developed the ME-LGIM dual-fuel engine for operation on methanol, as well as conventional fuel. The engine is based on the company’s proven ME-series, with its approximately 8,500 engines in service, and works according to the Diesel principle. When operating on green methanol, the engine offers carbon-neutral propulsion for large merchant-marine vessels.
Methanol carriers have already operated at sea for many years using the engine, and, as such, the ME-LGIM has a proven track record offering great reliability and high fuel-efficiency.
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PR COSCO ME-LGIM_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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