Swiss marine power company WinGD has secured another order for its X‑DF‑A ammonia-fueled engines in what will be ‘the world’s first’ ammonia dual-fuel Aframax tankers.
The two vessels ordered by Singapore-based ship owner and operator AET, part of Malaysian shipowner MISC, will be built at Dalian Shipbuilding Industry (DSIC) with six-cylinder X62DF-A engines, the newest addition to WinGD’s clean-fuel engine portfolio.
Once delivered, the ship pair will be working for Malaysian company PETCO Trading Labuan Company (PTLCL), Petronas’ midstream services arm.
The order builds on previous cooperation between WinGD and AET to enable clean-energy ship operations. In July 2023 the companies signed an agreement to collaborate on technology development and training for crew in partnership with ALAM — operated and managed by MISC’s Malaysian Maritime Academy — to prepare for ammonia-fueled vessels entering service.
Separately, WinGD has continued to develop the safety credentials for ammonia-engines, securing approvals in principle (AiPs) from four classification societies: Lloyd’s Register, Bureau Veritas, China Classification Society and ClassNK.
“First adopters of ammonia fuel are signalling confidence in the viability of both the fuel and the technology to use it. We have been working closely with AET since last year to bring this order to reality. This order, backed by our string of AiPs for our safety concepts and fuel supply system design shows that WinGD is leading the way in bringing carbon-free ammonia power to the deep-sea fleet,” Volkmar Galke, WinGD Director Sales, commented.
The Swiss engine specialist has already secured orders for X52DF‑A engines for ammonia carriers as well as X72DF-A engines for bulk carriers. The 52 and 72-bore variants will be delivered in 2025 followed by the 62 bore and other engine sizes from 2026 according to market needs, accommodating a wide range of vessel types from small tankers and car carriers to very large tankers.