WinGD - Experts & Thought Leaders

Swiss marine power company - WinGD and marine engine manufacturer - Hanwha Engine have successfully produced the world's first X72DF-2.2 VCR engine equipped with Variable Compression Ratio technology. This next-generation low-emission engine technology, developed by WinGD for ships using both LNG and diesel fuel, maximises fuel efficiency and reduces methane slip, which means vessels can operate more cleanly and cost-effectively, ensuring compliance with stricter emissions regulations. Initiative in LNG transportation The two companies held a ceremony at Hanwha’s HQ in Changwon to commemorate the first factory acceptance test The two companies held a ceremony at Hanwha’s headquarters in Changwon to commemorate the first factory acceptance test of the 5X72DF-2.2 engine with the VCR technology, which will be installed on an LNG carrier being built by Samsung Heavy Industries for a major global initiative in LNG transportation. Peter Krähenbühl, Vice President Product Centre at WinGD, hailed this milestone in shipping’s energy transition.  “Our VCR technology optimises fuel efficiency, reduces emissions and leads to a significant cut in methane slip, making a material impact on a ship’s carbon intensity and operating costs,” said Peter Krähenbühl, adding “With new emissions deadlines looming, our customers clearly see real value in this innovation, with over 160 orders already placed for VCR technology engines.” Key figures from the shipbuilding This was confirmed by Hanwha Engine’s CEO Moonghee Yu, who attended the ceremony along with key figures from the shipbuilding and shipping industries, noting that his company has already secured orders for 70 VCR-applied engines worth USD500 million. “The world's first production of an X72DF-2.2 VCR engine for an LNG carrier is not merely a technical achievement, but a milestone accelerating the shipbuilding industry's transition towards environmental sustainability. Moving forward, Hanwha Engine will continue to lead the industry by leveraging clean energy technologies to shape the future and make tangible contributions to marine environmental protection,” said Moonghee Yu.

Swiss marine power company WinGD has become the first engine designer to bring an ammonia-fuelled two-stroke marine engine to market following the delivery and installation of its X52DF-A engine on a 46,000m3 LPG/ammonia carrier being built for EXMAR. The vessel will be the first ammonia-fuelled gas carrier in service, and the engine among the first of WinGD’s ammonia-fuelled X-DF-A design to enter commercial operation. WinGD’s laboratory test engine The results from WinGD’s laboratory test engine runs were confirmed at the factory, with low emissions The 52-bore engine was built by HD Hyundai Heavy Industries’ Engine & Machinery Business Unit (HHI-EMD) and installed on the first of four sister vessels to be built at HD Hyundai Mipo shipyard in South Korea. The results from WinGD’s laboratory test engine runs were confirmed at the factory, with low emissions and efficient performance similar to diesel engines offering a robust solution for operators seeking to deploy ammonia fuel. Innovative propulsion solutions WinGD Vice President of Research and Development, Sebastian Hensel, said: “With such convincing results, it is clear that ammonia fuel has a vital role to play in the decarbonisation of our industry. Working with trail-blazer partners like EXMAR has been essential in bringing this technology to market." "We’re proud to be at the forefront of the clean-energy transition, delivering the innovative propulsion solutions the industry needs as it strives for a more sustainable future.” X-DF-A engine features The X-DF-A engine features high-pressure ammonia injection supplemented by a low, targeted pilot fuel dose of around five per cent at full load. The engine delivers load handling, dynamic response and fuel efficiency on par with WinGD’s equivalent diesel-fuelled X Engines in both ammonia and diesel operating modes. Further optimisation will continue for the second engine in the 52-bore series, which will be delivered later this year. Engine from WinGD’s design Those efforts have been rewarded with an early orderbook of around 30 X-DF-A engines to date Alongside pioneering ship operators, close collaboration with engine builders has also been essential in realising a safe, reliable and commercially-viable engine from WinGD’s design.  Those efforts have been rewarded with an early orderbook of around 30 X-DF-A engines to date, on vessels including not only gas carriers but also bulk carriers and container ships. Reduce greenhouse gas emissions Ammonia contains no carbon molecule and, when produced using renewable electricity, can reduce greenhouse gas emissions by up to 90% compared to conventional fuel. With the first engines approaching service following a robust, safety-focused development process, the X-DF-A platform offers shipowners a real choice as they navigate evolving regulatory and market demands on their journey to net-zero emissions.

Swiss marine power company - WinGD is to deliver X-DF-A ammonia-fuelled engine designs for four newbuild medium gas carriers (MGC) to be built by HD Hyundai Mipo for Trafigura, a market pioneer in the global commodities industry. The 45,000 cubic.metres vessels will each be powered by a six-cylinder, 52-bore 6X52DF-A engine with high-pressure selective catalytic reduction. WinGD ammonia-carrying vessels The order is one of several that WinGD has received for ammonia-carrying vessels The Trafigura vessels are another indication of the scaling up of global carrying capacity as ammonia becomes an increasingly important energy carrier globally. The order is one of several that WinGD has received for ammonia-carrying vessels. WinGD VP Market Development - Benny Hilström, said: “Trafigura selected our technology based on our demonstration of X-DF-A’s development and strong performance indicators to date. With the first X-DF-A engine deliveries due in mid-2025, we will already have gathered significant construction and commissioning experience by the time these engines are delivered.” Characteristics of the X-DF-A test engine As reported recently, WinGD has already confirmed key combustion and performance characteristics for the X-DF-A on a test engine, with full-load running achieved with 5% pilot fuel consumption.  Thermal efficiency is the same as for diesel engines, with significantly lower NOx, ammonia emissions at less than 10 parts per million (ppm) and N2O emissions less than 3 ppm. The engines for the new MGCs are scheduled to be delivered from early 2027 to early 2028.