WinGD Signs First Engine Licensing Agreement with HD Hyundai Marine Engine

Summary

WinGD has signed its first licensing agreement with HD Hyundai Marine Engine, expanding its two-stroke engine production network in South Korea. The agreement will enable the Korean engine builder to manufacture WinGD’s mid-bore diesel and dual-fuel engines for bulk carrier, tanker and other vessel segments. The partnership is intended to improve engine availability, reduce production costs and support integration of the technology into newbuild projects.

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WinGD Expands Korean Engine Production Through HD Hyundai Marine Engine Agreement

Swiss marine engine technology provider WinGD has entered into its first licensing agreement with HD Hyundai Marine Engine, formerly known as STX Heavy Industries, to expand the production capacity of its two-stroke engines in South Korea.

The agreement will allow HD Hyundai Marine Engine to manufacture WinGD’s diesel and dual-fuel engine designs for bulk carrier and tanker newbuild projects in Korea and other international markets. It will also extend the availability of WinGD’s mid-bore engine portfolio through an additional manufacturing partner.

HD Hyundai Marine Engine was acquired by HD Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering, part of HD Hyundai Group, in 2024. The company specialises in small and mid-sized two-stroke engines, complementing the large-engine manufacturing capabilities of HD Hyundai Heavy Industries. WinGD already has a long-standing licensing agreement with HD Hyundai Heavy Industries, which supplies engines for large vessels, including ultra-large container ships and LNG carriers.

WinGD Vice President Product Centre, Peter Krähenbühl, said: “This new agreement expands our ability to deliver main engines for high-volume vessel segments in Korea and enables HD Hyundai Marine Engine’s customers to select WinGD engine technology. We look forward to working closely with HD Hyundai Marine Engine to strengthen the availability and competitiveness of WinGD’s mid-bore engine portfolio.”

Under the agreement, both companies will exchange technical knowledge and manufacturing experience to reduce production costs and improve the integration of WinGD’s mid-bore engines into vessel designs. The collaboration will also focus on maintaining engine reliability and in-service performance.

HD Hyundai Marine Engine Senior Vice President, Business Management, YoungJe Woo, said: “With this new license HD Hyundai Marine Engine broadens the range of high-quality engine options it can offer to shipowners. As shipping’s focus on efficiency, emissions and cost continues to advance, adding WinGD engines to our offer is an important step in meeting the evolving requirements of the market.”

WinGD’s Mid-Bore Engine Portfolio Includes Diesel and Dual-Fuel Options

WinGD’s mid-bore engine range includes the X52 and X62 series, designed for bulk carriers, tankers and other vessel categories, including pure car and truck carriers (PCTCs).

Both engine series are available in X-DF dual-fuel configurations, supporting operation on LNG, ammonia/LPG or methanol/ethanol. The company also offers single-fuel X-Engine versions designed to allow future conversion to alternative fuels.

The latest development in the portfolio is the X-S short-stroke engine platform, available in 52-bore and 62-bore configurations for both diesel and dual-fuel applications.

According to WinGD, the short-stroke design delivers comparable power with improvements in efficiency and serviceability while requiring a smaller installation footprint than conventional mid-bore engines. The design is intended for vessels with constraints related to engine-room height, deck arrangements or draft, while remaining applicable across vessel types that use mid-bore engines.

HD Hyundai Marine Engine currently supplies engines for newbuild projects at several shipyards in South Korea and international export markets. The new licensing agreement will add WinGD engine designs to its manufacturing portfolio, extending their potential availability across these shipbuilding markets.

FAQs

What is the new agreement between WinGD and HD Hyundai Marine Engine?

WinGD has signed its first licensing agreement with HD Hyundai Marine Engine, allowing the South Korean company to manufacture WinGD’s mid-bore two-stroke diesel and dual-fuel engines.

Which WinGD engine models are covered by its mid-bore portfolio?

The portfolio includes the X52 and X62 engine series, along with the X-S short-stroke variants in 52-bore and 62-bore configurations.

Which fuels can WinGD’s dual-fuel engines use?

WinGD’s X-DF dual-fuel engines are designed to operate on LNG, ammonia/LPG or methanol/ethanol, while its X-Engine models are designed for future fuel conversion.

Which vessels can use WinGD’s mid-bore engines?

The engines are intended for bulk carriers, tankers and other vessel segments, including pure car and truck carriers (PCTCs).

Why is the agreement significant for WinGD’s Korean operations?

The agreement adds HD Hyundai Marine Engine as a licensed manufacturing partner in South Korea, expanding WinGD’s production capacity and access to the country’s bulk carrier and tanker newbuild markets.