Swiss marine power company WinGD has secured an order for 16 X-DF dual-fuel engines following a late-stage switch by a major ship owner.
The decision was driven by WinGD’s proven track record of reliable performance, continuous advancements in its X-DF technology, and successful deployment of the X-DF2.0 series earlier this year.
The order came late in the new building process due to concerns about the originally selected engines’ operational and delivery reliability. However, close collaboration between WinGD, the engine builder, the shipyard, and the ship owner—already a user of X-DF engines for several LNG carriers—ensured that construction timelines were unaffected.
WinGD Director Sales, Volkmar Galke commented: “Although we aim to be the first choice, we were delighted to add to our orderbook from a significant customer. With the longest established low-pressure two-stroke engine in the market and strong relationships with engine builders and shipyards, we were well placed to pick up the process quickly once the owner decided to switch engine type.”
Introduced in 2016, X-DF engines have logged over 8 million reliable operational hours, with more than 800 units in service or on order. Innovations like Intelligent Control by Exhaust Recycling (iCER) and Variable Compression Ratio (VCR) technology have solidified X-DF’s position as the leading low-pressure dual-fuel engine, offering lower costs and emissions compared to high-pressure Diesel-cycle engines.
Upgrades to the latest generation of X-DF engines have further enhanced their appeal for LNG carriers. The newest X-DF2.2 model features a more compact bedplate and A-frame design, optimized for five-cylinder configurations typical of LNG vessels. This smaller footprint provides greater design flexibility while maintaining high performance and efficiency.
WinGD’s ongoing collaboration with engine builders and shipyards has enabled X-DF2.0 engines with VCR to be seamlessly integrated into most standard vessel designs. Given the company’s dominance in new-build orders over the past two years, X-DF-powered ships are increasingly becoming the industry standard.
Additionally, a recent organizational restructure aims to strengthen support at the vessel integration stage, ensuring WinGD is well-positioned to meet evolving engine power demands.
