WinGD powers Taiwanese methanol shift

The deal includes methanol-ready X92 engines for twelve 16,000 teu vessels, and a mix of methanol-ready and dual-fuel methanol X82 engines for twenty 8,700 teu vessels ordered earlier this year.

The order demonstrates strong confidence in WinGD’s X-DF-M dual-fuel methanol and X-Engine platforms as the industry pivots toward zero and near-zero emission fuels.

“Alongside engine capex and fuel efficiency, owners now need to consider which fuels they can access to reduce IMO compliance costs,” said Volkmar Galke, WinGD’s director of sales.

“Our Taiwanese customer considered its fuelling strategy to reduce costs under the new GFI [greenhouse gas fuel intensity] regime, and we are glad that our engines will be part of their winning formula.”

The decision comes after the IMO’s April approval of its Net Zero Framework and GHG Fuel Intensity Standard, which led the shipowner to move away from LNG dual-fuel options in favour of methanol-capable technology. Some vessels may initially use biodiesel until methanol infrastructure is in place.

“This shift shows how impactful regulation can be,” said WinGD chief executive Dominik Schneiter.

“We must ensure mechanisms like the GFI pricing model bridge the cost gap between conventional and clean fuels if we’re serious about decarbonisation.”

WinGD offers a range of ZNZ fuel solutions across its engine portfolio, including methanol and ammonia-ready platforms, and is supporting shipowners with retrofit projects through its modular engine design and OEM experience.