WinGD will supply ten X92DF-M methanol-fuelled engines to four 16,000-TEU container vessels set to be built for China’s COSCO Shipping Lines
The ships are under construction at COSCO Shipping Heavy Industry’s yard in Yangzhou, China, and, when delivered, will have the first WinGD X92DF-M engines in China.
Shanghai-based engine builder CSSC-CMD will deliver the methanol engines, which they jointly developed with WinGD.
With delivery for the vessels set to begin in 2025, the engine manufacturer said the ships will be among the first methanol-fuelled container vessels to be built in China. The fourth vessel in the series will be the first to have the X92DF-M methanol engines installed. The earlier vessels will initially have methanol-ready X92-B engines installed and will be converted for methanol before entering service, WinGD said.
The X92DF-M engine design is based on the existing X92-B engine and will use the same high-pressure diesel combustion cycle. The X92-B has a number of long-standing and high profile clients in the container shipping sector that include COSCO, MSC and CMA CGM.
WinGD said that the order also enables the company to advance its timeline for developing conversion packages for methanol-fuelled engines. A methanol package for the X92-B engine will be brought to market as soon as the fourth vessel in COSCO’s series is delivered – opening the market for existing vessels using the X92-B to opt for methanol compliant engine conversions.
“Utilising WinGD’s engine development capabilities jointly with partners serving the world’s biggest shipbuilding market allows us to better support shipowners as demand for methanol-fuelled container vessels rapidly grows,” WinGD vice president R&D Dominik Schneiter said.
He added that the current deal is “an ideal move” as it helps WinGD strengthen its expertise in both newbuilds and methanol engine conversions.
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