For two years, the MAN Diesel & Turbo senior management was aware that test results from 40 of the engine manufacturer's ship engines in the period from 2009 to 2011 were manipulated in order to satisfy customer demands. This fact is evident from a ruling issued by the district court in Augsburg in 2013, which ShippingWatch has gained access to.

The ruling describes how MAN Diesel & Turbo for several years used an extra function in software developed by the company when engines were subjected to final tests before being delivered to customers. Among other things, these tests aimed to document that the engines complied with the fuel consumption agreed upon in the contracts with customers.