WinGD powers first ocean-going ship running on ammonia

WinGD has completed successful trials of a 46,000m³ LPG/ammonia carrier that will use ammonia as fuel. The vessel, named Antwerpen and built at HD Hyundai Heavy Industries, has now been delivered to Belgium’s Exmar.

It has a WinGD X52DF-A dual-fuel ammonia engine and is claimed to be the world’s first oceangoing ship to  operate on ammonia fuel. The vessel is the first in a series of four new gas carriers which will all carry the name of cities in Belgium. It is a result of close collaboration between the owner, builder, shipyard and engine firm, HY Hyundai Engine Machinery Division.

WinGD vice president R&D, said: “We are proud to be part of delivering the world’s first ammonia-fuelled ocean-going vessel, a landmark achievement made possible through an intensive and highly collaborative development effort. By bringing together expertise from across the maritime value chain, we have demonstrated that ammonia propulsion can move from concept to commercial reality through safe, reliable and fully automated engine technology.”

Exmar Group CEO, Carl-Antoine Saverys, commented: “Ammonia propulsion is no longer theoretical – we are deploying it.  Change comes through execution, not debate. This achievement reflects collective expertise and our commitment to drive sustainable shipping forward.”

WinGD now has 40 orders for X-DF-A engines which will be installed on gas carriers, dry bulk vessels, tankers and container ships.