Höegh Autoliners has placed a landmark order for ammonia-burning Everllence B&W ME-LGIA engines – the first of this new fuel type to propel any car carrier in the world. Four 7S60ME-LGIA dual-fuel engines will be delivered from the company formerly known as MAN Energy Solutions to an Asian shipyard in connection with the construction of four 9,100 ceu ships – a new size record in the car carrier segment.
Sebjørn Dahl, chief operations officer, Höegh Autoliners, said: “The engines are the beating heart of our vessels, and we take it as a clear mark of confidence that Everllence has chosen us to install some of the world’s first two-stroke ammonia engines on our final four Aurora Class vessels.”
Bjarne Foldager, head of two-stroke business at Everllence, said: “This order – one of several ammonia pilot-projects we have in China, Japan and South Korea – gives us encouragement that we are on the right path, as does the widespread industry interest in our progress. We have adopted a responsible, safety-first approach to developing this engine on account of ammonia’s particular risk-profile, and are confident that ammonia will ultimately become one of three major, alternative fuels in the market along with methanol and methane.”
Christian Ludwig, head of two-stroke sales and promotion at Everllence, said: “We have now been running our two-stroke ammonia test engine since 2023 and can confirm that the ME-LGIA’s combustion is right where we want it. Using the diesel principle, the ME-LGIA engine concept has many of the same merits as our existing dual-fuel engines that already entered operation over a decade ago.”
Inspired by these engines, Everllence is using the same sealing oil design for the fuel-booster injection valves.