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Rendered image of a Bocimar bulk carrier in development. Jay Venter
Future fuels for bulk carriers WINGD SUPPORTS BULK CARRIER TRANSITION TO ALTERNATIVE FUELS
THE VALUE OF COLLABORATION
THE DEVELOPMENT TIMELINE While ammonia is expected to be particularly viable for bulk carriers
SEPTEMBER 2023
The combustion engine is the ideal vehicle to maintain flexibility in fuel choice and is likely to remain a critical factor in achieving operational viability for all emerging alternative fuels. As the development work continues, collaboration with customers and technology providers is essential to accelerate the process. Following successful small scale engine tests in May 2021 and full scale combustion tests in December 2022, WinGD is confident that it will have the first X-DF-A dual-fuelled ammonia engines ready for commercial introduction by 2025. This is being made possible by both the company’s in-house research investments and strong collaboration with engine and shipbuilders in China, Korea and Japan. WinGD has also signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Mitsubishi Shipbuilding to prepare the X-DF-A engine for applications in a range of vessel sizes. At the same time, work is under way to ensure
smooth integration with the engine’s ammonia fuel supply system. A similar agreement was signed with Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI), ensuring that multiple shipbuilders and engine builders will be ready to deploy WinGD technologies as shipowners consider their options. As WinGD’s CEO Dominik Schneiter explains: “The value of collaboration cannot be overemphasized. The various parties each bring their own expertise and experience, and this will accelerate technological innovation to enable a seamless transition to safe and reliable operation with net-zero carbon fuels.” For both owners and operators, preparing for alternative fuel operations is as important as investing in technology. Ensuring that ship crews can familiarize themselves with operating the new engines is an essential part of the transition. WinGD is playing an active role in this area too. Earlier this year the company signed an agreement with AET tankers and its sister company Akademi Laut Malaysia to develop crew training for ammonia engines.
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When Swiss marine power company WinGD agreed to develop ammoniafuelled engines for a series of 210,000dwt bulk carriers being built for Belgian owner Bocimar, the term ‘future fuels’ began to appear misplaced. The aim is to have the engines — all ten of them — installed and operational as soon as 2025 and 2026. The ‘future’ is, therefore, undoubtedly close at hand. The ships will be powered by WinGD X72DF-A two-stroke dual-fuel engines. The development work for the large bore engines is being carried out jointly by WinGD and CMB.TECH, a company that builds, designs, owns and operates large marine and industrial applications running on hydrogen and ammonia. The vessels will be the first of their kind to run on ammonia and will clearly demonstrate that large bulk carriers can successfully operate with zero-carbon fuels. The vessels’ entry into service will come ahead of regulatory requirements to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, giving operators time to gain experience with new fuel and engines. At its latest Marine Environment Protection Committee meeting in July, IMO agreed to new
greenhouse gas reduction ‘indicative checkpoints’ in 2030 and 2040, including an alternative fuel use requirement of 5–10% by 2030, with specific economic and technical measures coming into force by 2027.
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