In a significant move towards the adoption of ammonia as a marine fuel, Swiss marine power company WinGD, Swedish marine technology leader Alfa Laval, and the American Bureau of Shipping have joined forces with Korean shipbuilder K Shipbuilding to develop an ammonia-fuelled MR tanker design. The collaboration, formalized through a memorandum of understanding signed in April, marks a crucial step in accelerating the transition to cleaner shipping fuels.
At the heart of the tanker design will be WinGD's 6X52DF-A engine, the smallest bore size available in the company's ammonia-fuelled X-DF-A series. WinGD will work closely with KSB to deliver fuel gas system specifications tailored to the vessel application and the selected engine. This collaboration aims to ensure optimal performance and compatibility between the engine and the fuel gas system.
Alfa Laval, renowned for its expertise in handling diverse fuel types, will play a vital role in the project by delivering the detailed documentation for the final fuel gas system design. Viktor Friberg, Head of Marine Separation & Fuel Supply Systems at Alfa Laval, emphasized the significance of this partnership in making ammonia a viable marine fuel. He stated, "Our proven expertise in handling diverse fuel types, especially methanol and LPG, will be instrumental in designing the new fuel supply system for ammonia."
The American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) will review the tanker design, with the goal of issuing an approval in principle. This approval will provide assurance to shipowners that the ammonia-fuelled tanker design meets the necessary safety and regulatory requirements. To date, four class societies, including ABS, have issued approvals in principle for WinGD's X-DF-A series, further validating the engine's safety and reliability.
The X52DF-A engine, the first to be developed in WinGD's ammonia-fuelled X-DF-A series, is expected to have wide application across various vessel types, including bulk carriers, tankers, and ammonia carriers. The engine has already been ordered for two ammonia carriers scheduled for delivery in early 2026, demonstrating the growing interest in ammonia as a marine fuel.
WinGD's Vice President of R&D, Sebastian Hensel, expressed his enthusiasm for the increasing momentum of ammonia-fuelled tanker projects, stating, "Developing full vessel designs that shipowners can adopt easily will only accelerate the transition, and we are pleased to be part of the collaboration with KSB in delivering this design."
Partnerships and joint development projects have been crucial to WinGD's ammonia engine developments, with several industry collaborations focused on vessel designs and crew training. These initiatives not only support the deployment of ammonia-fuelled engines but also ensure the readiness of the maritime industry to operate them safely.
As the maritime industry strives to achieve ambitious decarbonization targets, the collaboration between WinGD, Alfa Laval, ABS, and K Shipbuilding represents a significant step forward in making ammonia a viable and sustainable marine fuel. By combining their expertise and resources, these industry leaders are paving the way for a cleaner and greener future in shipping.
