Green Shipping Advancement: WinGD and Mitsubishi Shipbuilding Finalize Ammonia Fuel System Design

Green Shipping Advancement: WinGD and Mitsubishi Shipbuilding Finalize Ammonia Fuel System Design

(IN BRIEF) Swiss marine power company WinGD and Japanese shipbuilder Mitsubishi Shipbuilding Co., Ltd. have completed the initial design of an ammonia fuel supply system (AFSS) for vessels powered by WinGD’s ammonia-fueled engines. This collaboration aims to develop solutions for ammonia engines and fuel systems for various vessel designs. The AFSS design includes safety features for ammonia use and will advance carbon-free fuel technology for the maritime industry.

(PRESS RELEASE) WINTERTHUR, Switzerland, 22-Feb-2024 — /EuropaWire/ — WinGD, a leading developer of low-speed gas and diesel engines for marine propulsion, and Mitsubishi Shipbuilding Co., Ltd., the Japanese shipbuilder and technology developer, have reached a significant milestone in their partnership by completing the initial design of an ammonia fuel supply system (AFSS) tailored for vessels equipped with WinGD’s X‑DF‑A ammonia-fueled engines.

This achievement represents the first tangible outcome of the collaboration announced last year, aimed at developing comprehensive solutions for ammonia engines and fuel systems applicable across various vessel types. Moving forward, the project will transition to the detailed design phase, ensuring that ammonia capability is readily available to ocean-going vessel operators well in advance of regulatory mandates targeting greenhouse gas emissions reduction.

The AFSS design encompasses essential components such as a fuel valve unit, fuel conditioning apparatus, and associated piping, along with several safety features crucial for the secure utilization of ammonia as a marine fuel. These features include an ammonia catching system, as well as purging and venting arrangements.

Manabu Kawakado, Head of Marine Engineering Centre at Mitsubishi Shipbuilding Co., Ltd., expressed satisfaction with the rapid progress achieved in less than a year since the partnership’s inception, stating  “Our partnership with WinGD has made rapid progress in less than a year since we launched the cooperation. Concluding the initial AFSS design at this stage puts us in a strong position to offer a complete fuel system to ship operators as demand for carbon-free ammonia fuel grows over the coming years.”

Sebastian Hensel, Director of R&D at WinGD, highlighted the company’s current focus on advancing clean-fuel technologies, particularly the development of ammonia-powered X‑DF‑A engines, with initial deliveries expected in Q2 2025. He said “At present, our primary focus is on advancing the technology of our clean-fuel solutions including our ammonia-powered X‑DF‑A engines, with the first delivery expected in Q2 2025. This collaboration will make sure that the auxiliary systems and integration capability are in place to apply our engine designs, and developing the fuel supply system concept is a crucial step in bringing ammonia fuel capability to the marine market.”

As part of the partnership, WinGD will develop X‑DF‑A engines of various sizes suitable for different vessel configurations, providing the shipbuilder with engine installation specifications and auxiliary fuel system requirements. Mitsubishi, on the other hand, will design the vessels, set engine performance parameters, and further refine its existing AFSS for compatibility with WinGD’s ammonia engines.

Media Contact: 
Anna Garcia
Director of Corporate Responsibility & Communications
E-mail: anna.garcia@wingd.com
Tel.: +41 52 264 8844

WinGD in brief

WinGD advances the decarbonisation of marine transportation through sustainable energy systems using the most advanced technologies in emissions reduction, fuel efficiency, hybridisation and digital optimisation. With their two-stroke low-speed engines at the heart of the power equation, WinGD sets the industry standard for reliability, safety, efficiency and environmental design, backed by a global network of service and support. Headquartered in Winterthur, Switzerland since its origin as the Sulzer Diesel Engine business in 1893, today it is powering the transformation to a sustainable future.

WinGD is a CSSC Group company.

SOURCE: Winterthur Gas & Diesel Ltd.