Swiss marine power company WinGD will deliver ammonia-fuelled X-DF-A engines for a series of two 46,000-m3 LPG/ammonia carriers. The vessels will be built for Exmar LPG BV, a joint venture of Exmar and Seapeak, at Hyundai Mipo Dockyard.
The two 52-bore X52DF-A engines will be delivered in Q2 2025 and will be among the first of WinGD’s ammonia-fuelled engines to enter service.
Also read: WinGD wins first AiP for ammonia two-stroke engine
Demand for ammonia expected to surge
The order represents WinGD’s entry into an emerging market for ammonia-fuelled gas carriers. Such vessels have traditionally been early adopters of new power technology using their cargoes as fuel, and the ammonia transport market is projected to surge over the next few years as global demand for the carbon-free fuel and hydrogen carrier accelerates.
WinGD director of sales, Volkmar Galke: ‘Ammonia is set to become a mainstream sustainable marine fuel and energy carrier by mid-century, and we are delighted to be working with Exmar to ensure that the vessels carrying the cargo will be among the first to use it. Thanks to close cooperation with the owner, shipyard, engine builder Hyundai Heavy Industries and other stake holders, WinGD’s X52DF-A will be available soon – not just for ammonia carriers but also for a range of other vessel types that can benefit from ammonia as a fuel.’
‘With four decades of experience in handling ammonia cargoes we are confident in our ability to safely and effectively use this innovative zero-carbon shipping fuel,’ adds Exmar’s deputy director shipping, Carl-Antoine Saverys.
Also read: WinGD and CMB.Tech co-develop large ammonia-fuelled engine
High-pressure ammonia injection
The X-DF-A range will feature high-pressure ammonia injection supplemented by a low targeted dose of pilot fuel, around five per cent. Its performance and fuel efficiency will be similar to that of WinGD’s equivalent sized diesel-fuelled X-Engines, in both ammonia and diesel mode. No after-treatment for N2O emissions is foreseen, with selective catalytic reduction assuring Tier III NOx compliance on either fuel.
The X-DF-A range will span WinGD’s entire portfolio, with early orders also received for the 72-bore variant. The entire range has been approved in principle by Lloyd’s Register, meaning that owners can already incorporate X-DF-A engines into their newbuilding plans today.
Picture: Example of a WinGD DF engine (by WinGD).
Also read: Are zero-emission ammonia-powered installation vessels a viable option?
