WinGD Orders Four Dual-Fuel Engines for Polaris Shipping’s Newcastlemax Fleet

Swiss marine power company WinGD has secured an order from Polaris Shipping for four X72DF-M-1.0 dual-fuel engines capable of operating on both methanol and ethanol, providing fuel-choice flexibility for the shipowner’s future Newcastlemax fleet.

The engines will be installed on four 210,000 DWT ore carriers being built for Polaris Shipping by Qingdao Beihai Shipbuilding Heavy Industry Co. in China. The vessels are scheduled for delivery in 2031.

Dual-Fuel Engines Designed for Methanol and Ethanol

The X72DF-M-1.0 engine platform is designed to operate on either methanol or ethanol. The dual-fuel capability is intended to allow Polaris Shipping to respond to changes in fuel availability, prices and regulatory requirements during the vessels’ operating lives.

Dr. Carmelo Cartalemi, Head of Strategic Marketing at WinGD, said: “Shipowners are looking for flexible solutions to help them meet their decarbonisation goals without compromising on reliability, safety or financial stability. Our alcohol-fuel engine platform enables ships to operate on either ethanol or methanol, giving shipowners and managers the option to select the fuel that best fits their operational and commercial requirements. With fuel markets and regulations continuing to evolve, that flexibility can be a valuable asset over the lifetime of a vessel.”

According to WinGD, the X72DF-M-1.0 can operate on both methanol and ethanol while maintaining compliance with the regulatory requirements applicable to the two fuels.

WinGD to Provide Lifecycle Support

Alongside the engines, WinGD will provide dedicated service and lifecycle support covering the new alcohol-fuel systems. The support is intended to assist shipowners and operators with technology familiarisation, operational optimisation and maintenance as methanol and ethanol propulsion systems are introduced into service.

Polaris Shipping said: “Fuel availability and economics will continue to evolve over the lifetime of these vessels. Selecting an engine platform that gives us access to both methanol and ethanol means we can provide to our charter a greater choice in how the ships are operated in the future, rather than having to predict today which fuel will be most competitive in the years ahead. We’re investing for the long-term, and this engine choice gives us the confidence to do that.”

WinGD Expands Alternative-Fuel Engine Orderbook

The Polaris Shipping contract adds to WinGD’s orderbook of alternative-fuel engine technologies, which includes systems designed for LNG, methanol, ethanol and ammonia.

Qingdao Beihai Shipbuilding Heavy Industry is also working with WinGD on the installation of an ammonia-fuelled engine for CMB.TECH’s newbuild 210,000 DWT dry bulk carriers.

The latest order comes as alternative-fuel engine technologies move from development and testing into vessel construction and commercial deployment. For shipowners, the ability to use different lower-carbon fuels is becoming an increasingly important consideration as fuel markets and maritime emissions regulations develop.