WinGD calls for ‘strong’ measures to meet maritime GHG targets

Swiss marine power company WinGD has urged the industry to add its voice to the call for “strong” measures that give shipowners a clear path to decarbonization.

The company expressed concern that greenhouse gas (GHG) targets will be missed unless “strong” regulatory and economic incentives are implemented as soon as possible.

As one of the companies researching and developing clean fuel technology, WinGD said it sees first-hand how “regulatory clarity drives investments in low- and zero-carbon fuels, and how uncertainty stalls meaningful progress.”

“The urgency of the situation demands that we take action now,” the company claimed, asking for the industry to use its voice to help:

• Encourage alternative fuels: “Clear incentives for clean fuel production and use will reduce cost barriers and build supply chains.”
• Set a meaningful CO2 price: “Introducing an impactful economic instrument will drive investment in greener vessels.”
• Adopt robust mid-term measures: “An IMO instrument ensuring items 1 and 2 above will help close the price gap between fossil and alternative fuels.”
• Promote global consistency: “Coordinated policies help the industry avoid a fragmented regulatory regime.”
• Ensure investment stability: “Predictable rules give shipowners, fuel providers and technology providers confidence to invest in researching, commercialising and scaling up the solutions needed.”

“Without coordinated efforts and a clear and strong regulatory framework, we will not achieve the GHG targets set by the IMO,” WinGD warned.

“Strong action ensures shipping remains competitive and accountable as we progress towards a low-carbon future. Every regulation that advances decarbonisation helps us move closer to global climate goals.”

In other news, the U.S.-headquartered manufacturer of specialized marine filtration products and systems LiqTech International clinched supplier approval for its water treatment system (WTS) for WinGD’s two-stroke dual-fuel engines. As disclosed, the WTS is set to be supplied to the Swiss player’s engines in gas and diesel mode.

LiqTech’s technology, reportedly, enables “improved” filtration, allowing the reuse of about 80-95% of feed water per the company. The result of this is said to be reduced freshwater consumption onboard and minimal wastewater discharge, which is in line with global environmental stipulations.

It is also worth mentioning that WinGD’s on-engine NOx reduction solution for marine two-stroke engines received type approval and is set for first-time deployment on commercial engines.

Peter Krähenbühl, WinGD’s Vice President of Product Centre, highlighted: “WinGD’s unique on-engine NOx abatement solution secures IMO Tier III compliance while giving operators greater flexibility in engine room configuration and ship design. This new iteration further reduces the cost impact of NOx abatement and improves the efficiency of treatment with both existing and emerging fuels.”

To note, this technology is available as an option for WinGD’s 52- and 62-bore engines, including short-stroke variants, using fuel oil, ammonia or methanol.