MAN PrimeServ, the after-sales brand of MAN Energy Solutions, has announced that starting in 2025, it will offer a retrofit package to convert conventional MAN four-stroke engines in the field to dual-fuel methanol operation. Initially, customers will be able to upgrade their existing MAN 48/60 engines to the latest MAN 51/60DF engine type with methanol capability.

MAN Energy Solutions indicates that the conversion package has been under development for a while and has been subjected to thorough testing at its Augsburg, Germany facility since the summer of 2024. MAN PrimeServ plans to convert the first four-stroke engines for a pilot customer in autumn 2025, at which point the package will be made available to the general market.

Stefan Eefting, Head of MAN PrimeServ Germany, remarked, “Achieving climate-neutral shipping is only possible with synthetic fuels, and green methanol is especially well-suited for four-stroke engines because of its advantageous energy density.” We have already received numerous retrofit inquiries from customers eager to switch to methanol. “Our new methanol retrofit package provides customers with a cost-effective option to upgrade older engines to a more future-proof model.” This way, we are protecting the climate together with our customers and ensuring that their investments in our engines remain future-proof, with a very compelling ROI.”

Alexander Knafl, Head of Engineering R&D Four-Stroke at MAN Energy Solutions, noted: “We have accumulated extensive experience with methanol operation using the MAN 51/60R-DF-M through a series of tests. We have achieved promising results in both combustion management and methanol injection, and are now concentrating on further optimization. Our goal is to maintain consistently high engine efficiency, regardless of whether the fuel is diesel or methanol.”

Starting in 2025, customers will be able to retrofit conventional MAN 48/60 engines to the new MAN 51/60R-DF-M engines, available both with and without a common-rail system. Besides gaining methanol capability, customers will also benefit from the improved efficiency of the engines during diesel operation. Additionally, the retrofitted engines will be equipped with the latest control and safety systems from MAN Energy Solutions.

Bernd Siebert, Head of Retrofits & Upgrades at MAN PrimeServ, stated: “Transforming existing engines to dual-fuel operation with synthetic fuels is essential for achieving climate-neutral shipping. Alongside new engines, we need solutions to decarbonize the existing fleet. Ships typically have a service life of 20 to 30 years, and from an economic perspective, retrofitting is also far more cost-effective than installing a new engine or building a new vessel.”