MISC illustration of an ammonia-powered Aframax tanker (source: MISC)
The world’s first ammonia dual-fuel Aframax tankers will have six-cylinder X62DF-A engines, WinGD’s newest clean-fuel engines
Swiss marine power company WinGD has secured another order for its X‑DF‑A ammonia-fuelled engines in what are set to be the world’s first ammonia dual-fuel Aframax tankers, ordered by AET.
Singapore-based shipowner and operator AET’s two newbuilds will be built at Dalian Shipbuilding Industry Co with six-cylinder X62DF-A ammonia engines.
A statement on the newbuilds from Malaysia-based AET parent company MISC said its petroleum arm, AET, has entered into time charter agreements with Malaysian national oil company Petronas’ trading arm PETCO Trading Labuan Co Ltd (PTLCL).
MISC president and group chief executive Captain Rajalingam Subramaniam said, “Congratulations to AET and PTLCL for reaching a significant step… since signing the memorandum of understanding in February 2023.”
The engine order builds onprior co-operation between WinGD and AET. In July 2023, the companies signed an agreement to collaborate on technology development and training for crew in partnership with ALAM to prepare for ammonia-fuelled vessels entering service.
WinGD has continued to develop the safety credentials for ammonia-engines, securing approvals in principle from four classification societies: Lloyd’s Register, Bureau Veritas, China Classification Society and ClassNK.
WinGD director sales Volkmar Galke said, “First adopters of ammonia fuel are signalling confidence in the viability of both the fuel and the technology to use it.”
WinGD has already secured orders for X52DF‑A engines for ammonia carriers as well as X72DF-A engines for bulk carriers. The 52 and 72-bore variants will be delivered in 2025 followed by the 62 bore and other engine sizes from 2026, according to the company.
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