A significant leap in sustainable shipping has been achieved with the introduction of WinGD’s ten-cylinder, 92-bore X-DF-M methanol-powered engine.
In a recent event at CMD in Shanghai, China, eight classification societies officially certified the X-DF-M engine, approving its mass production according to WinGD’s specifications. Weighing approximately 1,953 tons and boasting a peak power output of 64,500 kilowatts, the engine has been described as a “giant heart” for future vessels. WinGD, a Swiss manufacturer with a legacy dating back to 1893, highlighted the engine’s ability to substitute 95% of its fuel with methanol, leading to a 7.5% reduction in CO? emissions.
With global marine transportation emitting over 940 million tons of carbon dioxide annually, the search for cleaner fuel alternatives has intensified. Methanol, particularly when derived from renewable sources such as captured carbon and green electricity, presents a promising low-emission solution. Compared to conventional marine fuels, methanol combustion results in significantly lower greenhouse gas emissions, nitrogen oxides, and particulate matter, making it an attractive choice for shipowners prioritizing sustainability without compromising performance.
WinGD’s move to develop and implement the X-DF-M engine is part of a broader strategy to expand its product offerings, which currently include LNG-fueled engines and ammonia-powered units under development. The new methanol-capable engine is set for installation on the fourth vessel in COSCO Shipping Lines’ fleet of 16,000 TEU container ships. Notably, earlier ships in the series operate on single-fuel engines that are expected to transition to methanol once the X-DF-M is fully operational.
WinGD CEO Dominik Schneiter emphasized the importance of this innovation, stating, “As interest in methanol and regulatory clarity increases, we anticipate the X-DF-M platform will become a key contributor to reducing greenhouse gas emissions from global shipping.” A CMD representative echoed this optimism, noting, “It is a big responsibility to build the first engine of any type, especially one for an emerging fuel with the potential of methanol. Our debut methanol-fuelled engine performed as expected across all tests.”
With confirmed orders for 56 X-DF-M engines across various bore sizes, WinGD is rapidly expanding its methanol-based solutions to complement its existing LNG-fueled lineup and the upcoming ammonia-fueled X-DF-A platform.
