WinGD’s first ethanol-fuelled X-DF-M/E engines have been ordered for two ore carriers to be built for Chinese owner Shandong Shipping Corporation. The two Newcastlemax (325,000 DWT) vessels will each be powered by a six-cylinder, 820-mm-bore 6X82DF-M/E engine intended to run primarily on ethanol fuel.
The vessels will operate under long-term charters for Brazil-headquartered global mining company Vale and will be built by Beihai Shipbuilding in China.
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Modified from methanol engine
The engines will be the first of the X-DF-M/E platform optimised for primarily ethanol use. The fuel supply and injection pressure will be modified from WinGD’s methanol-fuelled engine concept already in service to account for the difference in energy density between the two fuels, which otherwise share very similar properties and combustion characteristics. The contract includes options for further engine deliveries should the vessel series be extended.
WinGD Executive Director Sales Volkmar Galke: ‘These first ethanol-fuelled X-DF-M/E engines build on more than a decade of intensive investigation into alcohol fuels including ethanol and methanol. Securing orders for a top-tier charterer and ship operator is the best possible validation of those efforts. This is a clear signal that the shipboard technology and fuel infrastructure around ethanol as a marine fuel are ready, giving confidence to others considering ethanol as an option for maritime decarbonisation.’
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Widespread availability
Ethanol is gaining attention as a ship fuel due to its widespread and cost-competitive availability in several markets. These markets include Brazil, from where the vessels will deliver iron ore to China. According to Vale’s own investigations, the use of ethanol can reduce greenhouse gas emissions by around ninety per cent compared with heavy fuel oil, depending on the fuel type and lifecycle assumptions.
‘The adoption of ethanol as an alternative fuel is part of Vale’s strategy to combine flexibility and efficiency in the ships that transport our ore and places the company in a unique position for the energy transition in global shipping over the coming decades, whilst driving similar initiatives in the sector,’ says Vale Director of Shipping Rodrigo Bermelho. ‘We are pleased to partner with Shandong and WinGD on the world’s first newbuilding order for ethanol-fuelled ocean-going vessels.’
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Conversion capability
With the addition of ethanol-fuel capability for its X-DF-M/E platform, WinGD now offers fuel flexibility across Diesel-cycle two-stroke engines. X-DF-M/E, alongside the ammonia-fuelled X-DF-A and high-pressure LNG-fuelled X-DF-HP platforms, are all based on the same engine architecture and injection concept – ensuring efficient conversion capability that does not lock owners into a single fuel option.
The engine deliveries are scheduled to take place in early 2029 depending on shipyard requirements.
Picture: WinGD’s first ethanol-fuelled X-DF-M/E engines have been selected for two ore carriers ordered by Shandong Shipping Corporation and chartered long-term to Vale (image by CSDC (China Ship Design & Research Center Co,.Ltd)).
