Keeping ammonia engines on course with real-time digital monitoring

2026 is an historic year for shipping. This year marks the commercial debut of the first oceangoing ships to use ammonia dual-fuel engines. Among the first of these pioneers is Exmar’s Antwerpen. The 46,000-m³ midsize gas carrier is equipped with WinGD’s two-stroke, slow-speed X52DF-A engine, which uses high-pressure ammonia-injection technology and pilot fuel for ignition.

Ammonia burns differently than traditional marine fuels and is highly toxic, making data collection and engine monitoring essential for performance optimisation, troubleshooting, safety, and environmental compliance.

Marine Propulsion reached out to WinGD product manager, BU Digital, John Nilsson, to gain insight into how the Swiss engine designer and shipowner plan to collect data and assess the performance of its ammonia dual-fuel engines.

Marine Propulsion: Tell us about WinGD’s WiDE service. How will it be applied alongside your ammonia DF platform?

John Nilsson: WinGD’s Integrated Digital Expert (WiDE) system is a comprehensive performance monitoring system that supports onboard crew and shoreside staff with actionable insights derived from continuously collected engine and ship data. The WiDE system is available on our complete portfolio, including the new ammonia-fuelled X-DF-A engine, giving owners and operators another layer of confidence that this ground-breaking future-ready engine is performing to the very highest standards.

MP: What type of data will you collect?

JN: All vessels equipped with WinGD engines have been fitted with the base version of WiDE as standard since 2018, providing advanced data collection and monitoring capabilities. Both slow and fast signals are captured from the WinGD main engine, engine sub-systems and components, and other ship machinery. Additionally, ship owners can subscribe to enhanced services, such as diagnostic modules for advanced troubleshooting.

The collected data is sent via a secure encrypted communication channel to a WinGD server. Cybersecurity is a key consideration in the development of WiDE, with the platform designed to support compliance with current and emerging maritime cybersecurity requirements.

MP: Will you have real-time tracking visibility?

JN: Yes, we collect real-time data to ensure the engine is running as it should and optimised for the operating conditions. This gives us early visibility of any issues, ensuring prompt action to keep the engine and ship running safely and reliably.

For customers subscribing to enhanced WiDE service packages, the data collected can also be used to build a tailored digital twin model of the main engine that combines detailed engine configuration and tuning with the specific engine’s factory test and sea trial results. This digital twin is compared with real-time performance data to identify opportunities to optimise the main engine’s operation and provide early warning of potential faults, malfunctions, or maintenance requirements.

MP: How will you support the crew with troubleshooting?

JN: For customers subscribing to enhanced WiDE service packages, we can use the data to provide the crew with early insight into potential problems and identify corrective actions they can implement, supported by detailed analysis from WinGD experts.

In one instance, a WinGD expert remotely identified unusual fluctuations in liner wall temperature that were below the levels required to trigger engine alarms. The expert used the remote connection to evaluate relevant engine parameters and then proactively contacted the crew, informing them of a potentially leaking fuel injector on one of the cylinder units that could lead to scuffing. The crew conducted an inspection and confirmed WinGD’s analysis, which led to the swift replacement of the defective fuel injector. The engine continued to operate normally, helping the customer avoid a component malfunction and costly unplanned downtime.

These advanced diagnostics and troubleshooting capabilities form part of WinGD’s enhanced digital service offering.

MP: Will you be able to take actions remotely to optimise the engine performance?

JN: As digital solutions continue to evolve, connected services will play an increasingly important role in supporting engine performance optimisation and operational efficiency. WinGD continues to enhance the capabilities available through the WiDE platform, expanding opportunities to support customers with performance monitoring, optimisation and decision-making based on real-time operational data. As these capabilities develop, they will help unlock greater value from connected engine technologies while maintaining a strong focus on safety, reliability, and cybersecurity.