Damen Shipyards Group of the Netherlands has ordered multiple MAN 175D engines in connection with the construction of a multi-purpose vessel (MPV) for the Portuguese Navy. MAN will also supply the engines for six patrol vessels being built at Portuguese shipbuilder, West Sea – Estaleiros Navais.
The order for the MPV covers one shipset comprising two 12V175D-MEM engines (each delivering 1800 kW at 1800 rpm) and two 16V175D-MEM engines (each delivering 2400 kW at 1800 rpm). Delivery of the engines is set for 2025, with vessel delivery subsequently scheduled for 2026.
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Double-resilient mounting
The 107-metre-long MPV will comprise a multi-purpose platform with primary mission roles including oceanic research, search and rescue, and emergency relief in addition to maritime safety and naval-support operations.
‘This vessel’s multi-purpose functionality will enable the Portuguese Navy to execute the most demanding missions, as well as give it the ability to perform research at the greatest ocean depths,’ says Florian Keiler, Head of High-Speed Sales, Marine Four-Stroke at MAN Energy Solutions. ‘A particular requirement for this order related to structure-borne noise and, accordingly, the 175D GenSets will come with double-resilient mounting to meet all noise requirements over the full frequency range.’
Six offshore patrol vessels
For the other key project, West Sea – Estaleiros Navais has ordered multiple MAN 175D engines in connection with the construction of six 83-metre offshore patrol vessels (OPVs). The order encompasses six shipsets featuring two 16V175D-MEL engines, each delivering 2960 kW at 1800 rpm.
The Viana do Castelo-class OPVs will be built at West Sea’s shipyard in northern Portugal. The engines will be constructed at MAN Energy Solutions’ Frederikshavn facility in Denmark and are scheduled for ongoing delivery from early 2026 to mid-2029 with respective vessel deliveries set for eighteen months after in each case.
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Fewer cylinders
The OPVs’ main tasks involve long-range maritime surveillance and patrol missions, as well as search-and-rescue operations. However, depending on the sensors and weapons installed on board, they can be assigned to military missions in traditional maritime areas of unrest.
Dietmar Zutt, Sales Manager, High-Speed Navy at MAN Energy Solutions: ‘This is an excellent reference for the MAN 175D as naval vessels have high requirements in terms of manoeuvrability, speed, maintenance cycles and environmental considerations. West-Sea and the Portuguese Navy jointly chose this engine mindful that each vessel’s power requirement of about 6 MW can be achieved with just two compact 16V175D-MEL GenSets. These offer the segment’s best power-to-length ratio, meaning they can deliver power requirements with eight fewer cylinders than rival engines, freeing up space in the engine room and lowering maintenance requirements.’
MAN 175D characteristics
MAN claim the 175 D offers the segment’s fastest vessel manoeuvring and quickest acceleration. The engine is resilient to high temperatures, has low-load endurance and is capable of 24-hour low-load operation without the need to increase engine power.
In addition, there is a control system for full level of cyber security. The engines are also capable of CO2-neutral operation with 100 per cent FAME fuels and are methanol-ready.
Picture: Rendering of the Multi-Purpose Vessel (image by Damen Shipyards Group).
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