MAN Engines has approved the use of renewable biodiesel fuel on engines installed on tugs, workboats, fishing vessels and yachts
The approval is for MAN D2862, D2868 and D2676 series of marine propulsion engines in line with the standard EN15940 in Europe and the American Society for Testing and Materials specification ASTM D975.
This will enable owners of vessels with these engines on board to replace conventional petroleum-based diesel fuel with green or renewable diesel.
These fuels can be obtained from waste and residues of animal and plant origin, cellulosic biomass such as crop residues and hydrotreated vegetable oils (HVO).
“With the approval of marine engines for renewable diesel fuel, MAN Engines is making an important contribution to sustainability, both in recreational and professional sailing,” said MAN Engines head of marine Claus Benzler.
“Renewable diesel fuel ensures cleaner combustion with fewer emissions.”
MAN Engines said combustion of renewable diesel fuel releases around 30% less particulate matter and 10% less nitrogen oxide than conventional diesel.
MAN Engines head of engineering Werner Kübler said emissions can be reduced further with an exhaust gas aftertreatment system. “There are neither reductions in performance nor disadvantages with regard to service and maintenance intervals,” said Mr Kübler.
“The use of an aftertreatment system does not have any negative effect on system components or the drive’s efficiency if green fuel is used.”
Using renewable diesel fuel does not require any changes to be made to existing vessels or refuelling infrastructure and can be refuelled in a pure form, meaning 100% renewable diesel fuel without the addition of conventional diesel.
Approvals cover MAN engines with 12, 8 and 6 cylinders covering power ranges of 147 kW to 1,471 kW. They can be operated in line with the emissions guidelines issued by the US Environmental Protection Agency, IMO and the European Union.
Tug owners Svitzer and Cory Brothers are pioneers of using HVO fuel on vessels operating in the UK.
