MAN B&W says that more than 100 of its new engines have now been ordered. The L21/31 orders are mainly for Holeby-GenSets for large vessels and Alpha propulsion plants for small and medium-sized vessels. The first will be installed in April for Karstensens Shipyard, Skagen, Denmark for a 38-metre, triple-deck, stern trawler for Irish skipper Cathol Boyle.
At 1200-1935 kW (1600-2600 BHP) the new L21/31 design is similar to its very successful predecessor -- the L27/38, which has sold more than 600 units. There Is now a different power layout and front and aft-ends.
The propulsion engine aft-end box carries the charge air cooler element and acts at the same time as console for the turbocharger, which is positioned low and matched to reduction gearbox overhang. This gives more engine room space. The front-end box is easy to service with automatic full-flow lube oil filtering. There is an integrated support bearing for an optional 100% front-end Power Take-Off .
The front-end box is characterised by its compactness and its very short overall engine room installation length. Among its advantages is its shipyard-friendly pope connections optimally positioned on the sides of the box.
The MAN B&W Alpha engine is supplied as an integrated part of the Genuine Propulsion Package and this can save 10% on costs, the company said.
