WinGD engine powers the first ammonia-fueled ocean-going vessel
Winterthur/Antwerp - The Belgian shipping company Exmar has put the “Antwerpen” into service, the world’s first ammonia-powered ocean-going vessel. The engine was developed by WinGD and tested by the Korean company HD Hyundai Heavy Industries. Forty more orders have already been placed.
(CONNECT) For the first time, an ammonia-powered ocean-going vessel has been commissioned: The Antwerp-based shipping and plant engineering company Exmar has put the “Antwerpen” into service, as detailed in a statement. The 46,000 cubic meter carrier transports liquefied natural gas and ammonia.
The “Antwerpen” is powered by the X52DF-A engine developed by the Winterthur-based engine builder WinGD. This two-stroke engine is fueled by ammonia and therefore emits no CO2 during combustion. The engine was tested by HD Hyundai Heavy Industries up to January 2026, with the “Antwerpen” subsequently completing a test run in May.
“We are proud to be part of delivering the world’s first ammonia-fueled ocean-going vessel”, comments Sebastian Hensel, Vice President R&D at WinGD, in the statement. “By bringing together expertise from across the maritime value chain, we have demonstrated that ammonia propulsion can move from concept to commercial reality through safe, reliable and fully automated engine technology”, he adds.
Carl-Antoine Saverys also praised the collaboration: “Ammonia propulsion is no longer theoretical – we are deploying it”, as the Exmar Group CEO explains, adding that: “Change comes through execution, not debate”.
Exmar now intends to equip three more vessels with this engine. WinGD has already received 40 orders for ship engines fueled by ammonia. ce/ug
