Swiss marine power company WinGD and Japanese shipbuilder Mitsubishi Shipbuilding Co., Ltd. have successfully completed the initial design phase of an innovative ammonia fuel supply system (AFSS). This development is part of their ambitious partnership, announced last year, aiming to revolutionize ammonia engines and fuel systems applicable across various vessel designs.
Advancing Green Technology
The AFSS design marks a pioneering step, ensuring the readiness of ammonia capabilities for ocean-going vessels well ahead of impending regulatory measures to curb greenhouse gas emissions. The collaboration’s primary goal is to facilitate the adoption of clean-fuel solutions, particularly WinGD’s X-DF-A ammonia-fueled engines.
Comprehensive System Features
The unveiled concept goes beyond a mere fuel supply system, encompassing critical elements such as a fuel valve unit, fuel conditioning, and all associated piping. Safety measures are paramount, with the inclusion of an ammonia catching system, along with well-thought-out purging and venting arrangements, ensuring the secure utilization of ammonia as a marine fuel.
Rapid Progress and Future Prospects
Manabu Kawakado, Head of Marine Engineering Centre at Mitsubishi Shipbuilding Co., Ltd., expressed satisfaction with the rapid progress achieved within a year of launching the partnership. He emphasized that concluding the initial AFSS design positions them strongly to meet the rising demand for carbon-free ammonia fuel in the coming years.
Sebastian Hensel, Director R&D at WinGD, highlighted their current focus on advancing clean-fuel technology, particularly with the ammonia-powered X-DF-A engines set for the first delivery in Q2 2025. He underscored the importance of this collaboration in ensuring the auxiliary systems and integration capabilities are in place for the successful application of their engine designs.
Division of Roles in the Partnership
As part of their collaborative efforts, WinGD will spearhead the development of X-DF-A engines tailored for diverse vessel designs. They will provide Mitsubishi with specifications for engine installations and the necessary requirements for auxiliary fuel systems. On the other hand, Mitsubishi will play a crucial role in designing vessels, setting performance parameters for the engines, and enhancing its existing AFSS to align seamlessly with WinGD’s ammonia engines.