WinGD to launch ethanol-capable engine next year

The two-stroke engines will be commercially available for newbuilds and retrofitting from 2027, Swiss manufacturer Winterthur Gas & Diesel (WinGD) said.

IMAGE: Concept of Purus Marine's ethanol dual-fuel VLEC. Purus Marine

This new engine will be based on its methanol dual-fuel engine, since the ethanol-capable engine will use the same combustion concept and require the same safety regulations as a methanol engine, WinGD said.

Full scale engine tests were conducted in 2018, with initial studies started in 2014.

The company said it is in talks with “several ship owners, ethanol fuel suppliers and class societies about the first commercial applications of its ethanol engine” and that it will later confirm whether it will run fully on ethanol or use it as a secondary fuel alongside methanol.

“As global emission regulations are set to be passed, we’re pleased to be able to offer a further lower carbon alternative to ship owners and operators,” Sebastian Hensel, vice president at WinGD said.

WinGD’s announcement comes just weeks after German engine maker Everllence (formerly MAN Energy Solutions) successfully ran its 90-bore methanol dual-fuel engine on ethanol in Japan. Everllence is also building its ethanol-capable engine on its existing methanol dual-fuel engine, the company confirmed.

By Konica Bhatt

Please get in touch with comments or additional info to news@engine.online