WinGD installs first ammonia-fuelled marine engine on EXMAR vessel, pioneering low-emission propulsion and advancing maritime decarbonization through innovation.
Swiss marine propulsion company WinGD has marked a major milestone in maritime decarbonization by delivering the industry’s first ammonia-fuelled two-stroke engine, the X52DF-A, now installed on a 46,000m³ LPG/ammonia carrier being constructed for Belgian shipowner EXMAR. This vessel will be the first operational ammonia-fuelled gas carrier, representing a breakthrough in sustainable marine propulsion. The X52DF-A engine is one of the earliest models from WinGD’s ammonia-capable X-DF-A engine series to be commissioned for commercial service.
Manufactured by HD Hyundai Heavy Industries’ Engine & Machinery Division (HHI-EMD), the 52-bore engine has been successfully fitted onto the lead vessel of a four-ship series under construction at the HD Hyundai Mipo shipyard in South Korea. This installation follows rigorous testing both in WinGD’s labs and at the production facility, with test results confirming performance levels comparable to conventional diesel engines. Notably, the engine exhibits low emissions and efficient operation, making it a promising choice for ship operators transitioning to zero-carbon fuels.
Sebastian Hensel, Vice President of Research and Development at WinGD, stated, “With such convincing results, it is clear that ammonia fuel has a vital role to play in decarbonising our industry. Collaborating with forward-thinking partners like EXMAR has been instrumental in bringing this technology to reality. We’re proud to be leading the clean-energy transition with propulsion innovations that support a sustainable maritime future.”
The X-DF-A engine uses high-pressure ammonia injection with a pilot fuel component of approximately five percent at full load to aid combustion stability. This dual-fuel setup ensures performance parity with WinGD’s standard diesel X engines, maintaining excellent load response, dynamic control, and fuel efficiency in both diesel and ammonia operation modes. As development continues, a second 52-bore engine is expected to be delivered later this year with further performance optimizations.
WinGD’s achievement is not solely attributed to technological innovation but also to deep collaboration with engine builders and ship operators, which was crucial to ensuring the safe and reliable implementation of the new engine platform. This effort has already resulted in a strong orderbook, with approximately 30 X-DF-A engines ordered for various vessel types, including gas carriers, bulkers, and container ships.
Ammonia, a carbon-free molecule, when synthesized using renewable energy, can cut greenhouse gas emissions by up to 90% compared to conventional marine fuels. Now that the first X-DF-A engines are approaching operational readiness, following a stringent and safety-focused development process, the platform presents a viable and scalable solution for shipowners seeking to meet global emissions targets and future-proof their fleets amid evolving environmental regulations and market expectations.
