Winterthur, Switzerland – July 16, 2025 – Swiss marine power company WinGD has marked a significant milestone in the decarbonization of the shipping industry with the successful delivery and installation of its pioneering ammonia-fuelled two-stroke marine engine, the X52DF-A. This groundbreaking engine has been fitted onto a 46,000m3 LPG/ammonia carrier currently under construction for EXMAR, a leading Belgian shipping firm. This vessel is set to be the world’s first ammonia-fuelled gas carrier in service, and its engine among the first of WinGD’s X-DF-A series to commence commercial operation.
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A Technological Milestone
The 52-bore engine was manufactured by HD Hyundai Heavy Industries’ Engine & Machinery Business Unit (HHI-EMD) and integrated into the first of four sister vessels at the HD Hyundai Mipo shipyard in South Korea. Factory tests have consistently validated the promising results observed during WinGD’s laboratory runs, demonstrating low emissions and efficient performance that rivals traditional diesel engines. This offers a robust and commercially viable solution for ship operators keen on adopting ammonia as a marine fuel.
Sebastian Hensel, WinGD’s Vice President of Research and Development, underscored the importance of this achievement: “With such convincing results, it is clear that ammonia fuel has a vital role to play in the decarbonization 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.”
X52DF-A: A Versatile, Dual-Fuel Solution
The X-DF-A engine features an advanced high-pressure ammonia injection system, complemented by a precise, low pilot fuel dose of approximately five percent at full load. This sophisticated design ensures impressive load handling, dynamic response, and fuel efficiency, performing on par with WinGD’s equivalent diesel-fuelled X Engines in both ammonia and diesel operating modes. WinGD confirms that further optimization efforts are underway for the second engine in the 52-bore series, scheduled for delivery later this year.
Next Steps and Broader Adoption
The successful development and deployment of the X-DF-A engine is a testament to WinGD’s strong collaboration with pioneering ship operators and engine builders. This concerted effort has been crucial in ensuring the engine’s safety, reliability, and commercial viability. These efforts have already translated into a robust early orderbook of approximately 30 X-DF-A engines to date, demonstrating widespread industry confidence. These orders encompass not only gas carriers but also bulk carriers and container ships, highlighting the versatility and broad applicability of the X-DF-A platform across various vessel types.
Environmental Implications
Ammonia, a compound of nitrogen and hydrogen, contains no carbon molecules. When produced using renewable electricity (green ammonia), it has the potential to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by up to 90% compared to conventional marine fuels. With the first engines rapidly approaching service following a rigorous, safety-focused development process, the X-DF-A platform provides shipowners with a concrete choice as they navigate the evolving regulatory landscape and market demands on their journey towards net-zero emissions.
About WinGD
Headquartered in Winterthur, Switzerland, WinGD (Winterthur Gas & Diesel Ltd.) has been at the forefront of marine engine innovation since its origins as the Sulzer Diesel Engine business in 1893. Today, WinGD is dedicated to advancing the decarbonization of marine transportation. The company achieves this through sustainable energy systems that leverage cutting-edge technologies in emissions reduction, fuel efficiency, hybridization, and digital optimization. With their two-stroke low-speed engines forming the core of the power equation, WinGD sets the industry standard for reliability, safety, efficiency, and environmental design.
Their commitment extends beyond delivery, supported by Global Service by WinGD, which provides tailored 24/7 lifecycle engine support through Swiss engineering excellence, dependable maintenance, rapid global response, and genuine parts to ensure optimal engine performance.
Source WinGD Ltd. (Winterthur Gas & Diesel Ltd.)