MAN ES, 24 dual-fuel engines commissioned by Karpowership

Karpowership – the builder, operator and owner of power-plant ships (Powerships) – has commissioned MAN Energy Solutions to deliver 24 × 18V51/60DF dual-fuel engines. The engines – each providing a capacity of 20.7 MW for power generation – will be employed aboard several barges due to operate globally.

Alexander Stöckler – Head of Sales, Tendering & Project Management, Power Segment – MAN Energy Solutions, said: “We are proud to have been ensuring secure energy supplies around the world, together with Karpowership, since 2009. With this order, we are expanding Karpowership’s fleet by a total of around 500 MW. Dual-fuel technology offers customers the fuel-flexibility necessary to reliably operate their Powerships at any location.”

“We are absolutely thrilled about and proud of our long-standing partnership with MAN Energy Solutions,” said Gökhan Koçak, Chief Technical Operations Officer at Karpowership. “They’ve been with us along the way in our pursuit to support access to energy and decarbonize grids globally. We are glad to know we can count on MAN Energy Solutions’s technology to support our growth as a leading energy transition company.” 

Karpowership’s floating power plants are primarily used in various regions of Asia, South and Central America, and Africa. They provide a quick and cost-effective electricity supply wherever energy shortages exist, for example, due to inadequate infrastructure or natural disasters. Currently, Karpowership has the world’s largest fleet of Powerships with 40 ships, representing a total capacity of over 7,500 MW.

Tilman Tütken – Vice President Strategic Projects, Power – MAN Energy Solutions, said: “MAN Energy Solutions’ dual-fuel technology is particularly suitable for the Powership concept as it allows Karpowership to flexibly switch between different types of fuel depending on local availability. In addition to natural gas, the 18V51/60DF engine can also run on liquid biofuel and other liquid fuels.”

Timur Iyi, Managing Director – MAN Energy Solutions Turkey – said: “Through our long-standing partnership with Karpowership, we have received orders for over 150 engines and are pleased that we have been able to win its confidence once again. In addition to our efficient, flexible, and powerful engines, our experience and service quality have also played a decisive role; we have been able to increase the availability of the engines in Karpowership’s existing fleet over the past few years.”