The Swiss propulsion specialist WinGD has received an order to supply methanol-fueled engines for six container ships.
These are methanol-fueled X-DF-M engines for a series of six container ships to be built at Yangzijiang Shipbuilding in China[ds_preview].
The 9,000 TEU vessels will each be powered by an X82DF-M engine built by HD Hyundai Heavy Industries’ Engine & Machinery Division (HHI-EMD) and scheduled for delivery in August 2025.
The new order, which includes options for additional engines, expands WinGD’s orders for methanol engines in the 82-liter size. The company had already received an order for four engines to power ultra-large container ships being built for Cosco Shipping Line.
WinGD plans to supply engines from 2025
Volkmar Galke, Director Sales, WinGD, said: “This order confirms that our X-DF-M engines will be in operation long before green methanol becomes widely available and before regulatory requirements come into force, giving operators time to gain experience with the new fuel and engines. We are delighted that one of the largest and most influential container lines has also invested in our X-DF-M technology, sending a strong signal to all operators who are currently making their own decisions about alternative fuels.”
Both the X-DF-M and ammonia-powered X-DF-A engines will be available for delivery from the first quarter of 2025. The combustion principle and engine platform of the X-DF-M engines are based on the latest X engines from WinGD, supplemented by high-pressure methanol injection. The X-engines, including the highly efficient X92-B and X82-2.0 engines, are reportedly already powering many of the world’s largest container ships.
According to the manufacturer, the “remarkable” features of the X-DF-M engines include performance comparable to the X engines in both methanol and diesel operation, a low pilot fuel requirement thanks to precisely controlled common rail injection and compliance with Tier III NOx in both operating modes thanks to selective catalytic reduction. The new engine concept will be retrofittable for the X-engine series as soon as the X-DF-M engines are available in the corresponding bore sizes.
The new ship series will go into operation in 2026 and 2027.
