WinGD and KSS Line collaborate on ammonia-fuelled gas carriers

Swiss marine engine maker WinGD and South Korean shipping company KSS Line have agreed to explore dual-fuel ammonia engines for future newbuild projects.

PHOTO: Model of WinGD's dual-fuel ammonia marine engine. WinGD

Both companies will work on 52 cm- and 62 cm-bore versions of the dual-fuel ammonia engines called 'X-DF-A engines' that are “suitable for midsize and very large gas carriers (VLGC).”

These two-stroke dual-fuel engines can operate on conventional marine fuels or ammonia "supported with a low portion of pilot fuel", WinGD said.

“The scope of the cooperation will extend beyond engine technology, also focusing on the performance and maintenance solutions necessary for using alternative fuel,” the company further added.

The duo will explore ways to ensure fuel efficiency and provision of 24x7 support from engine experts. WinGD has also agreed to provide crew training for the new engines.

WinGD will start validating its ammonia-fuelled engine concepts on single and multi-cylinder test engines in Winterthur and Shanghai later this year. The engine maker is expected to bring its dual-fuel ammonia engines into service from the first quarter of 2025.

“The project with WinGD gives us the technical support we will need to successfully apply this new fuel type to our forthcoming newbuilds,” said KSS Line’s chief executive officer Chando Park.

By Aparupa Mazumder 

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