Belgium-based Exmar is going to equip a pair of midsize gas carriers newbuilds, which are set for delivery in early 2026, with ammonia dual-fuel engines.
Exmar LPG BV, a joint venture between Exmar and Seapeak, is going ahead with ammonia as fuel for two midsize gas carriers (MGCs) on order at Hyundai Mipo Dockyard in South Korea.
The 46,000 m³ MGCs ships will be the first ever oceangoing vessels to be propelled by dual-fuel ammonia engines, allowing “for close to zero emissions trading when using ammonia,” as the company claims.
Exmar, a provider of floating solutions for the operation, transportation and transformation of gas, notes that the engines will be delivered by WINGD and the fuel supply system by Wärtsilä Gas Solutions.
Specifically, the two 52-bore X52DF‑A engines will be delivered in the second quarter of 2025 and will be among the first of WinGD’s ammonia-fuelled engines to enter service.
Such vessels have traditionally been early adopters of new power technology using their cargoes as fuel, and the ammonia transport market is projected to surge over the next few years as global demand for the carbon-free fuel and hydrogen carrier accelerates.
Carl-Antoine Saverys, executive director at Exmar, noted “As leading global transporters of ammonia, we are proud to be developing vessels with an operational carbon footprint reduction of 90%, which significantly exceeds the International Maritime Organization (IMO)’s emissions reduction targets. This is possible thanks to the decades of experience of EXMAR’s operational and technical teams, and the joint effort and contribution of all our project partners.”
Volkmar Galke, WinGD director of sales, said: “Ammonia is set to become a mainstream sustainable marine fuel and energy carrier by mid-century, and we are delighted to be working with EXMAR to ensure that the vessels carrying the cargo will be among the first to use it. Thanks to close cooperation with the owner, shipyard, engine builder Hyundai Heavy Industries and other stake holders, WinGD’s X52DF‑A will be available soon – not just for ammonia carriers but also for a range of other vessel types that can benefit from ammonia as a fuel.”
