Exmar orders pair of 46,000cbm gas carriers with WinGD X-DF-A engines

The pair of LPG/NH₃ carrier newbuildings will be powered by 52-bore X52DF-A engines. The dual-fuel engines will be delivered to the shipyard in Q2 2025 and will be among the first of WinGD’s ammonia-fuelled engines to enter service. The 46,000 cbm gas carriers are scheduled for delivery in early 2026. The engine builder is expected to be Hyundai Heavy Industries Engine & Machinery Division (HHI-EMD).

The vessels will also feature a fuel supply system provided by Wärtsilä Gas Solutions. The vessels will be among the first oceangoing vessels to be propelled by dual-fuel ammonia engines, allowing for close to zero emissions trading when using ammonia. 

Emergence of ammonia-fuelled carrier segment 

The order represents WinGD’s entry into an emerging market for ammonia-fuelled gas carriers. Such vessels have traditionally been early adopters of new power technology using their cargoes as fuel, and the ammonia transport market is projected to surge over the next few years as global demand for the carbon-free fuel and hydrogen carrier accelerates. 

WinGD Director of Sales, Volkmar Galke said: “Ammonia is set to become a mainstream sustainable marine fuel and energy carrier by mid-century, and we are delighted to be working with EXMAR to ensure that the vessels carrying the cargo will be among the first to use it. Thanks to close cooperation with the owner, shipyard, engine builder Hyundai Heavy Industries and other stake holders, WinGD’s X52DF-A will be available soon – not just for ammonia carriers but also for a range of other vessel types that can benefit from ammonia as a fuel.”

EXMAR’s Deputy Director Shipping, Carl-Antoine Saverys said: “As global leader in maritime ammonia and LPG transportation we have a long history of innovative ship designs and floating infrastructure platforms. With four decades of experience in handling ammonia cargoes we are confident in our ability to safely and effectively use this innovative zero-carbon shipping fuel. This journey continues to shape the maritime industry, and we’re pleased with the strong collaboration with WinGD and the other partners to drive sustainability forward.” 

The X-DF-A range will feature high-pressure ammonia injection supplemented by a low targeted dose of pilot fuel, around 5%. Its performance and fuel efficiency will be similar to that of WinGD’s equivalent sized diesel-fuelled X-Engines, in both ammonia and diesel mode. No after-treatment for N2O emissions is foreseen, with selective catalytic reduction (SCR) assuring Tier III NOx compliance on either fuel. 

The X-DF-A range will span WinGD’s entire portfolio, with early orders also received for the 72-bore variant. The entire range has been approved in principle by Lloyd’s Register, meaning that owners can already incorporate X-DF-A engines into their newbuilding plans today.

Innovative shipowner

EXMAR has a history of leading innovation, having forged ahead with AiP (approval in principle) for LPG as fuel in 2012 which materialised in 2021 with the delivery of two VLGCs (Very Large Gas Carrier). Now, navigating the difficult regulatory landscape surrounding the IGC Code for use of ammonia as fuel, these orders for the ammonia dual fuel LPG/NH₃ carriers represent further evidence of EXMAR acting as a first mover in the adoption of alternative fuelled vessels for the global gas supply chain. 

The shipping department of EXMAR currently owns/operates 17 midsize gas carriers, three very large gas carriers, and 10 pressurised vessels. 

“As leading global transporters of ammonia, we are proud to be developing vessels with an operational carbon footprint reduction of 90%, which significantly exceeds the International Maritime Organization (IMO)’s emissions reduction targets. This is possible thanks to the decades of experience of EXMAR’s operational and technical teams, and the joint effort and contribution of all our project partners,” said Carl-Antoine Saverys, Executive Director at EXMAR.

Classification society role

LR noted that the order for the ammonia-fuelled gas carriers by EXMAR LPG formed part of a Joint Development Project (JDP) between the classification society, shipowner, Wärtsilä, WinGD and Hyundai Mipo Dockyard (HD HMD). 

HD HMD in collaboration with Wärtsilä, WinGD and LR have been able to overcome the challenges for the safe design of this ammonia fuel LPG/NH₃ carrier considering all the safety and toxic aspects associated with the fuel, and maintaining an inherent safe design in comparison with the use of methane as fuel.