New marine engine partnerships to accelerate deployment
By on September 19, 2023
WinGD and Samsung Heavy Industries
WinGD and Samsung Heavy Industries have signed an MoU to collaborate on ammonia-fuelled engines for future vessels. As part of this MoU, Samsung intends to install WinGD’s X-DF-A dual-fuel ammonia powered engines on newbuild vessels.
The two partners will cooperate to prepare X-DF-A for integration with wider ammonia fuel systems and in a range of vessel designs, including oil tankers, container ships and ammonia carriers. The X-DF-A will run on a high-pressure, diesel-cycle combustion process, with ammonia fuel injection supported by low amounts of pilot fuel.
Combustion concept testing, simulation, and rig testing to understand the emissions characteristics and injection requirements of ammonia fuel began in 2021. With plans to bring the X-DF-A engines to service from Q1 2025, WinGD will start validation of the ammonia-fuelled engines on single and multi-cylinder test engines in Winterthur and Shanghai later this year. In February, the company announced a similar partnership with CMB.TECH to deploy ammonia-powered two-stroke engines for newbuild vessels.
Working with WinGD to prepare its ammonia engines for integration with newbuild projects in key vessel segments will ensure that SHI can offer customers the future fuel vessel solutions they need to meet their decarbonisation targets.
Haeki Jang, SHI CTO, in WinGD’s official press release, 5 September 2023
This collaboration offers WinGD the opportunity to participate in the future fuel preparations of one of the world’s biggest and most respected builders of high-quality vessels. The aim is to prepare engine and vessel designs as well as fuel system integration specifications that will lead to X-DF-A engines being deployed on a wide range of SHI-built, ammonia-fuelled vessels.
Volkmar Galke, Director Sales, WinGD, in WinGD’s official press release, 5 September 2023
Ammonia dual-fuel engines for new vessels: Eastern Pacific Shipping & partners
Eastern Pacific Shipping (EPS), MAN Energy Solutions (MAN ES), Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI) and the China State Shipbuilding Corporation (CSSC) will collaborate to develop ammonia engines for new EPS-managed vessels.
The project partners have signed three MoUs. In one MoU to develop a dual fuel ammonia carrier, EPS & MAN ES were joined by HHI, Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) and the American Bureau of Shipping (ABS). In the other two MoUs, EPS & MAN ES were joined by Lloyd’s Register, Qingdao Beihai Shipyard, and Jiangnan Shipyard. Two vessel types, Newcastlemaxes & very large ammonia carriers (VLACs), both managed by EPS, will be fitted with the MAN ES ammonia engines. The Newcastlemaxes will be built at the Qingdao Beihai Shipyard while the VLACs will be built at the Jiangnan Shipyard.
The ammonia engines by MAN ES will be an inflection point for the maritime industry. In the next few years, we expect to operate vessels with significantly reduced emissions running on ammonia. Dual-fuel engines like LNG, LPG, and ethane will still play a significant role in various segments. However, with this engine, it will mean that this will be the first time that ocean going vessels will take a significant step towards zero carbon emissions.
Cyril Ducau, EPS CEO, in his organisation’s official press release, 6 September 2023
MAN ES is pleased to be developing these state-of-the-art engines for EPS. Together, we will show that ammonia is a commercially viable option for ship owners and managers to become IMO compliant years ahead of schedule. MAN ES looks forward to playing its role in creating a cleaner shipping industry by helping our partners substantially lower their carbon footprint.
Bjarne Foldager, MAN ES SVP and head of two-stroke, in EPS’ official press release, 6 September 2023
MPA is actively investigating the use of ammonia for international shipping and is glad to be part of this collaborative effort. The next few years will be critical as we work with partners to examine ways to de-risk the application and operation for ammonia-fuelled vessels, and enhance the development of low and zero carbon solutions. We look forward to working closely with EPS and partners to study the ammonia engine design and operations to support the development of new safety guidelines and standards, port preparations, training and emergency response plans.
Teo Eng Dih, Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore CEO, in EPS’ official press release, 6 September 2023
A year ago, a similar MoU was signed by EPS, HHI, CSSC and ABS for the joint development of mid or large gas carriers. Delivery of the new fleet of ammonia powered vessels is expected from 2026 onwards.