Swiss marine power company WinGD has achieved a major milestone in maritime decarbonisation with the successful sea trials and delivery of ANTWERPEN, the world’s first ocean going vessel designed to operate on ammonia fuel.
The 46,000m³ LPG and ammonia carrier has been delivered to Belgian shipowner and infrastructure developer EXMAR and is powered by WinGD’s X52DF-A ammonia fuelled engine. The vessel is the first of four ammonia dual fuel midsize gas carriers being built for EXMAR, each named after a Belgian city.
Developed through close collaboration between WinGD, EXMAR, HD Hyundai Engine Machinery Division and HD Hyundai Heavy Industries, the project demonstrates that ammonia propulsion is now a commercially viable solution for deep sea shipping.
“We are proud to be part of delivering the world’s first ammonia fuelled ocean going vessel,” said Sebastian Hensel, Vice President R&D at WinGD. “By bringing together expertise from across the maritime value chain, we have demonstrated that ammonia propulsion can move from concept to commercial reality through safe, reliable and fully automated engine technology.”
The X52DF-A engine uses high pressure ammonia injection supported by a small pilot fuel dose of around five percent at full load. Sea trials in South Korea confirmed performance, fuel efficiency and load handling comparable to conventional diesel powered engines.
“Ammonia propulsion is no longer theoretical, we are deploying it. Change comes through execution, not debate,” said Carl Antoine Saverys, Chief Executive Officer of EXMAR Group.
According to WinGD, 2026 has marked a breakthrough year for ammonia fuel technology, following successful type approval, factory testing and sea trials. The company has already secured 40 orders for X-DF-A engines across gas carriers, bulk carriers, tankers and container vessels.
With ammonia offering zero carbon emissions at the point of use and significantly lower pollutant emissions, the successful delivery of ANTWERPEN represents an important step towards shipping’s 2050 net zero ambitions.
