MAN Diesel
German manufacturer of diesel engines and turbomachinery, part of MAN Group.
Last updated August 31, 2026
Overview
MAN Diesel is a brand under German MAN Group, producing marine diesel engines, power plants, and turbochargers.
History
MAN Diesel's history is rooted in the development of large diesel engines by MAN and the Danish Burmeister & Wain engineering and shipbuilding business. MAN acquired Burmeister & Wain in 1980, gaining an established marine-engine operation and an important base of two-stroke diesel technology. Production at the Christianshavn site was eventually discontinued in 1987, but the engineering programs and commercial relationships associated with Burmeister & Wain continued under the MAN B&W identity. The Copenhagen organization was rebuilt around Teglholmen. In 1988, the company established a facility there for spare parts and key components, and in 1992 it added a research and development center. Copenhagen operations were consolidated at Teglholmen in 1994. The last volume-production unit at the former B&W Shipyard was delivered in 1996, completing the shift away from the historic shipyard production site while preserving Copenhagen's role in engineering, components and support. During the 1990s and early 2000s, MAN B&W developed a powerful position in the market for two-stroke engines used in large commercial ships. The MC series became widely adopted, and by 2000 the company was reported to have more than 70 percent of the relevant two-stroke market. The business's scale was reflected in its installed base: by 2004, more than 8,000 MC engines representing over 100 gigawatts were in service or on order. MAN Diesel broadened its industrial heritage in 2000 by acquiring Alstom Engines from GEC. The transaction brought the former diesel businesses of English Electric, Mirrlees Blackstone, Napier, Paxman and Ruston into the wider organization. These names represented a long British history of diesel and industrial-engine production and added products, engineering capabilities and facilities to MAN's portfolio. In 2002, MAN B&W introduced the electronically controlled ME two-stroke engine family. The ME design was an important product-generation development because it used electronic control in the management of engine operation, complementing the mechanically controlled MC family. The company continued to serve both marine propulsion and stationary power applications, while production and licensed manufacture extended across Europe and Asia. MAN Diesel AG became MAN Diesel SE in 2006 through the establishment of a common European company. One of the period's most visible technical achievements occurred in February of that year, when a 12K98MC engine entered service. Built by Hyundai Heavy Industries under license, the engine produced more than 75,000 kilowatts and powered a large container ship associated with a series ordered for Costamare and intended for charter to COSCO Container Lines. The company maintained an international industrial footprint, with facilities identified in Augsburg, Copenhagen, Frederikshavn, Saint-Nazaire, Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar and Shanghai. Its business model combined company-developed engine designs, manufacturing, licensee production, technical support and spare-parts supply. In 2010, MAN Diesel was merged with MAN Turbo to form MAN Diesel & Turbo. This transaction concluded the independent corporate period of MAN Diesel SE, while its engine platforms and technical heritage continued within the successor company.
- 2010Merged with MAN Turbo
MAN Diesel and MAN Turbo were merged to create MAN Diesel & Turbo.
- 2006MAN Diesel SE established
MAN Diesel AG established the common European corporate form MAN Diesel SE.
- 200612K98MC engine entered service
A Hyundai Heavy Industries-built MAN B&W 12K98MC engine entered service with output above 75,000 kilowatts.
- 2002ME electronically controlled engine line introduced
The electronically controlled ME family of large two-stroke diesel engines was added to the product range.
- 2000Alstom Engines acquired
MAN Diesel, then operating as MAN B&W Diesel, acquired Alstom Engines from GEC, adding historic British diesel businesses to its portfolio.
- 1996Final volume-production unit delivered from the former B&W shipyard
The last volume-production engine unit from the former Burmeister & Wain shipyard was delivered.
- 1992Teglholmen research center opened
The Copenhagen Teglholmen site added a research and development center.
- 1988Teglholmen component facility established
A spare-parts and key-components production facility was established at Teglholmen in Copenhagen.
- 1987Christianshavn engine production discontinued
Engine production at the historic Christianshavn site was discontinued as the Copenhagen business was reorganized.
- 1980MAN acquired Burmeister & Wain
MAN acquired the Danish shipyard and diesel-engine producer Burmeister & Wain, bringing its marine-engine technology and operations into the MAN group.
Products and positioning
A global specialist in very large diesel engines for merchant shipping and power-generation installations, combining proprietary engine designs with licensed production by major shipbuilders and industrial partners.
MAN B&W MC seriesMechanically controlled two-stroke marine engines
The MC series was MAN B&W's mechanically controlled large-bore two-stroke engine family for commercial marine propulsion. It became a core product of the company and was installed in a substantial number of large merchant vessels. The series was manufactured both within MAN-associated facilities and by licensed industrial and shipbuilding partners, supporting worldwide deployment and a broad service-parts ecosystem.
MAN B&W ME seriesElectronically controlled two-stroke marine engines2002
Introduced in 2002, the ME series extended the company's two-stroke portfolio with electronic control of engine operation. It represented a significant technical progression from the mechanically controlled MC generation and was aimed at the demanding operating requirements of large commercial vessels. The family formed part of MAN Diesel's broader effort to combine very high power output with more advanced engine management.
MAN B&W 12K98MCLarge-bore marine propulsion engine2006
The 12K98MC was a particularly large MC-series engine with twelve cylinders and a 98-centimeter cylinder bore. A license-built example produced 75,790 kilowatts, or approximately 101,640 horsepower, and entered service in 2006 aboard a large container ship. The engine demonstrated the scale of propulsion equipment being developed for the expanding ultra-large container-vessel sector.
Marine engine spare parts and key componentsAftermarket and industrial support1988
MAN Diesel maintained component and spare-parts capabilities to support its installed engine base. The Teglholmen facility in Copenhagen was established in 1988 for production of spare parts and key components, helping the company support engines operating internationally through the long service lives typical of commercial marine equipment.
Flagship businesses
- MAN B&W MC-series two-stroke engines
- MAN B&W ME-series electronically controlled two-stroke engines
- MAN B&W 12K98MC engine
Brand decisions
- 2010Merge MAN Diesel with MAN TurboM&A
MAN reorganized related engine and turbomachinery activities into a combined industrial business.
What changed. MAN Diesel and MAN Turbo were merged to form MAN Diesel & Turbo.
Aftermath. MAN Diesel SE stopped operating as a separate company, while its products and technical capabilities continued under the successor organization.
- 2002Introduce the ME electronically controlled engine familyProduct launch
The company was developing a new generation of large two-stroke engines for the marine market.
What changed. MAN B&W added the electronically controlled ME series to its portfolio.
Aftermath. The ME family complemented the established MC line and advanced the company's electronically managed marine-engine technology.
- 2000Acquire Alstom Engines from GECM&A
MAN Diesel was expanding beyond its existing engine operations and sought to add established British diesel-engine businesses.
What changed. The company acquired Alstom Engines from GEC, including businesses historically associated with English Electric, Mirrlees Blackstone, Napier, Paxman and Ruston.
Aftermath. The transaction broadened MAN Diesel's industrial-engine heritage and added brands and capabilities connected with British diesel manufacturing.
- 1980Acquire Burmeister & WainM&A
MAN sought to strengthen its position in marine diesel engines through the acquisition of the Danish shipyard and engine producer Burmeister & Wain.
What changed. MAN acquired Burmeister & Wain and subsequently reorganized its Copenhagen production, research and service activities.
Aftermath. The acquisition supplied technology and engineering capabilities that became central to MAN B&W's large two-stroke engine business.
Recent events
- 2010MAN Diesel and MAN Turbo merged to form MAN Diesel & Turbo
MAN Diesel was combined with MAN Turbo, ending MAN Diesel SE's existence as a standalone company and creating MAN Diesel & Turbo as the successor business.
M&ALeadership change - 2006A MAN B&W engine exceeding 75,000 kilowatts entered service
A Hyundai Heavy Industries-built 12K98MC engine manufactured under MAN B&W license entered service in a large container ship, marking a major output milestone for marine propulsion.
Product launchProduct generation - 2002MAN Diesel introduced electronically controlled ME-series engines
The company added its electronically controlled ME line to its large two-stroke diesel-engine portfolio, extending its marine-engine technology beyond mechanically controlled MC designs.
Product launchProduct generation
Sources
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