Qatari shipping company Nakilat and Qatari LNG producers Qatargas and RasGas Company Limited have agreed with engine manufacturer MAN Diesel and Turbo to convert a Q-Max vessel to use LNG as an alternative to heavy fuel oil in the main engines.

The proactive initiative reinforces Qatar’s commitment toward the environment with plans to convert an existing low-speed diesel LNG carrier to use LNG as fuel thereby reducing the ship’s exhaust gas emissions.

Shipyard operator Nakilat-Keppel Offshore & Marine (N-KOM) will complete the ship’s conversion at its Erhama Bin Jaber Al Jalahma Shipyard facilities in Qatar’s Port of Ras Laffan. The modification will utilize MAN Diesel and Turbo’s ME-GI (M-Type Electronically Controlled – Gas Injection) systems as an innovative and flexible technology.

The Q-Max will be the world’s first low-speed marine diesel engine to be converted to use LNG as a fuel. The modification will meet current known and future stated global emissions regulations.

Tags: Qatargas