Win GD's methanol move
The Swiss company Win GD will equip six new 9,000 teu container ships with X-DF-M methanol engines, signalling a move towards green shipping technologies. To be built at China's Yangzijiang Shipbuilding, the vessels will have engines manufactured by HHI-EMD and are slated for delivery by August 2025.
Volkmar Galke, Win GD's director of sales, noted that it was important for operators to gain experience with new fuels and engines before green methanol becomes generally available and regulatory changes enter into force.
Win GD's X-DF-M and ammonia-fuelled X-DF-A engines are set to be market-ready by Q1/2025. The X-DF-M engines, based on Win GD's X-Engines technology, feature high-pressure methanol injection, efficient performance in both methanol and diesel modes, and NOx Tier III compliance.
These engines can also be retrofitted to existing X-Engine series models. The new vessels are expected to enter service between 2026 and 2027. (pb)