Swiss marine power company WinGD has achieved a significant milestone by completing Type Approval Testing (TAT) and Factory Acceptance Testing (FAT) for its ammonia-fueled two-stroke marine engine, the X52DF-A-1.0. Conducted in January 2026 at HD Hyundai Heavy Industries’ facility in South Korea, the tests were overseen by classification society Lloyd’s Register and EXMAR representatives. This engine will power a 46,000 cubic meter LPG/ammonia carrier, set to be the first of its kind in commercial service.
The X-DF-A engine employs high-pressure ammonia injection, combined with a small pilot fuel dose, achieving performance metrics comparable to diesel engines in both fuel modes. WinGD reports that nitrogen oxides (NOx) emissions during ammonia operation are significantly lower than those from diesel, with minimal nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions contributing to its overall greenhouse gas footprint.
WinGD has already secured orders for around 30 X-DF-A engines across various vessel types, including gas carriers and bulk vessels. According to Sotiris Topaloglou, WinGD’s Global Head of Testing & Validation, this achievement represents a major step in addressing the technical challenges of ammonia fuel. Minho Kang from HHI-EMD emphasized their commitment to leading the eco-friendly marine engine market.
