Swiss marine power company WinGD has made a significant advancement in maritime decarbonization with the launch of the world’s first ammonia-fueled two-stroke marine engine, the X52DF-A. This engine has been installed on a 46,000m³ LPG/ammonia carrier for EXMAR, marking the debut of ammonia-fueled gas carriers in service. Built by HD Hyundai Heavy Industries, the engine underwent successful factory testing, showcasing low emissions and efficiency on par with traditional diesel engines.
Sebastian Hensel, WinGD’s Vice President of Research and Development, emphasized the critical role of ammonia fuel in the industry’s decarbonization efforts, highlighting the importance of collaboration with partners like EXMAR. The X-DF-A engine uses high-pressure ammonia injection and a small percentage of pilot fuel, achieving performance metrics comparable to WinGD’s diesel engines. An additional engine in the series is set for delivery later this year, with about 30 orders already in the pipeline for various vessel types.
Ammonia’s carbon-free nature presents a promising alternative, potentially reducing greenhouse gas emissions by up to 90% when produced with renewable energy. As the maritime sector shifts toward cleaner fuels, recent data indicates a 78% increase in new orders for alternative-fueled vessels, with ammonia gaining traction, especially in tanker and general cargo operations.
