On 3 July 2002 Mitsui Engineering & Shipbuilding Co. Ltd. in Tamano, Japan, hosted an unusual event. On this day Mitsui gathered employees and guests from sub-suppliers and subcontractors as well as MAN B&W Diesel A/S to celebrate Mitsui’s 40 million bhp of MAN B&W two-stroke engine power. The engine marking the 40 million bhp is a 6S70MC for NKK Shipyard who was also present at the celebration.

Mitsui has held a licence to build B&W engines since 1926 and is, thus, the oldest of MAN B&W Diesel’s present licensees. Mitsui exclusively builds two-stroke engines under the licence with MAN B&W Diesel.

In 1982 Mitsui was the first in the world to total 15 million bhp in diesel engine production. Since then – in only 20 years – they have completed around 1,800 engines, totalling 25 million bhp, and now they are the first ever to reach 40 million bhp.