WinGD’s X-DF-A engines set to power seven LPG/ammonia carriers in China

Swiss marine engine developer WinGD has bagged new contracts for its ammonia-fueled X-DF-A engine design, slated for installation on seven 20,500 cbm and 41,000 cbm liquefied petroleum gas (LPG)/ammonia carriers that were ordered by China’s Tianjin Southwest Shipping.

As disclosed, the engines will be built at Yuchai Marine Power (YCMP), a subsidiary of Guangxi Yuchai Group.

In regards to the vessels, they are set to be constructed by Huangpu Wenchong Shipbuilding, a shipyard with a large focus on the construction of small- and medium-sized gas carriers, and ready to enter service from Q3 2026. According to WinGD, the ships will deploy 5- and 6-cylinder versions of the 52-bore X-DF-A engines.

WinGD—which unveiled its X-DF-A ammonia engine was LPG-capable in October 2024—has further spotlighted that this latest order casts a “positive light” on the company’s ‘growing’ stake in the gas carrier market, considered a ‘vital link’ in the global green ammonia supply chain as well as an ‘increasingly important’ segment for the uptake of ammonia as a marine fuel.

“The demand for gas carriers is growing rapidly as the central role of ammonia in the hydrogen economy is becoming clear,” Volkmar Galke, Director of Sales at WinGD, shared.

“WinGD has already reported multiple orders of its new X‑DF‑A engine in this segment, and these new orders – a result of our strong relationships in the Chinese shipping market – further the transition towards a sustainable shipping industry that can operate on the zero-carbon energy sources it carries.”

As explained, WinGD has been developing its X-DF-A ammonia technology since 2019. As per WinGD, the concept was granted approvals in principle from multiple classification societies that ‘affirmed’ the engine’s safety for use.

As informed, the Swiss engine manufacturer has secured nearly 30 orders to date for ammonia-fuelled X-DF-A engines, ranging in size from 52- to 72-bore, for vessels such as bulkers, gas carriers, boxships and oil tankers.

To remind, in June 2024, WinGD, Swedish marine technology company Alfa Laval, and classification society ABS joined forces with South Korean shipbuilder K Shipbuilding (KSB) to work on the development of an ammonia-fueled medium range (MR) tanker design.

Under the terms of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) that the parties had signed in April this year, WinGD is to work with KSB to deliver fuel gas system specifications suitable for the vessel application and the 6X52DF‑A engine from the Swiss manufacturer to be featured in the vessel’s design.