Caterpillar Strengthens Lead In LNG Marine Propulsion With Cruise Ship Orders

MaK M 46 DF dual fuel engines to be installed on a new generation of cruise ships

Hamburg, Germany – The selection of Caterpillar Marine dual fuel engines for a new generation of cruise ships provides further evidence of the power solutions specialist’s lead in the liquefied natural gas (LNG) marine propulsion space. The company’s MaK 16 M 46 DF dual fuel engines, along with the full LNG supply and handling system, are to be installed on four new ships, two apiece under construction at Meyer Werft’s Papenburg (Germany) and Turku (Finland) shipyards.

Caterpillar Marine now offers all round LNG propulsion solutions – from shore-side bunkering to on-board storage; from bunker tanks via LNG handling and treatment to the dual fuel engines including automation systems; and ultimately the dual fuel main engines MaK 16 M 46 DF, in close cooperation with LNG and cryogenic specialist Marine Service GmbH.

“From a single source, we provide the complete system for ship operators who wish to capitalise on the benefits of LNG as a marine fuel,” said Ulf Hannemann, Caterpillar Marine cruise and ferry segment manager. “We have successfully completed a number of diesel to dual-fuel conversions in the commercial shipping sector and our pipeline of newbuild installations continues to grow.” 

“However, it is in the cruise sector that we see the greatest opportunities,” Hannemann continued. “Clean fuel for cruise vessels is essential in both operational and business strategy terms.”

Further, the company is pioneering new techniques which make gas-only operation even more attractive.  Research and development at Caterpillar’s Rostock facility has demonstrated the efficient operation of LNG main engines at loads of less than 20% for the first time. Caterpillar demonstrated the capabilities of the MaK M 46 DF engine and started the engine by using LNG from the very beginning, thus avoiding diesel engine specific emissions – another first for the company.  “This development is a key consideration for cruise operators who wish to use LNG, rather than risk smoke from the funnel or soot on deck, whilst starting main engines and maneuvering in port waters,” noted Dr Frank Starke, Managing Director of Caterpillar Motoren.

The Caterpillar engines offer a whole range of technical innovations including fast load response, better fuel consumption and long intervals between overhauls. They will use the latest generation of the Cat Engine Control Units (ECU), which in conjunction with in-house software, enable customer operation profile-specific optimization. Caterpillar is also providing its Asset Intelligence (AI) technology and service, which leverages remote monitoring, automated data analytics and expert advisory services to ensure the highest uptime and lowest operating cost.

Caterpillar’s sales and serviced partner Zeppelin Power Systems, headquartered in Hamburg, is managing the project, including supply, commissioning and service.  “As a trusted Caterpillar sales and servicer partner for over 60 years with extensive experience in power solutions, we offer our customers individual and highly efficient solutions for marine applications,” added Volker Possoegel, Zeppelin Power Systems chief executive officer. “With our excellent sales and service organization, we are looking forward to providing the new flagships with comprehensive engineering and service competence to ensure the highest uptime.”

For more information on Caterpillar Marine, visit www.cat.com/marine. Follow us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/caterpillarmarine and Twitter @catmarineglobal.

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About Caterpillar Marine

Caterpillar Marine, with headquarters in Hamburg, Germany, groups all the marketing and service activities for Cat and MaK™ marine diesel, dual fuel and gas power and propulsion systems within Caterpillar Inc. The organisation provides premier power solutions in the medium- and high-speed segments with outputs from 93 to 16,800 kW in main propulsion and 10 to 16,100 kWe in marine generator sets as well as a comprehensive portfolio of propulsion solutions. The sales and service network includes more than 2,100 dealer locations world-wide dedicated to support customers in ocean-going, commercial marine and pleasure craft wherever they are.

More information is available at: www.cat.com/marine

About Caterpillar:

For 90 years, Caterpillar Inc. has been making sustainable progress possible and driving positive change on every continent.  Customers turn to Caterpillar to help them develop infrastructure, energy and natural resource assets. With 2015 sales and revenues of $47.011 billion, Caterpillar is the world’s leading manufacturer of construction and mining equipment, diesel and natural gas engines, industrial gas turbines and diesel-electric locomotives.  The company principally operates through its three product segments - Construction Industries, Resource Industries and Energy & Transportation - and also provides financing and related services through its Financial Products segment.  For more information, visit caterpillar.com.  To connect with us on social media, visit caterpillar.com/social-media.

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