Switzerland-based engine maker WinGD, a unit of China’s CSSC, said its latest generation of X72DF-2.1 engines would power 25 vessels as part of QatarEnergy’s giant LNG newbuilding project.
According to a statement by WinGD, multiple shipyards and shipowners have selected the 50 dual-fuel engines which feature the new on-engine iCER highlighting “strong confidence in WinGD’s proven and reliable low-pressure dual-fuel engines”.
WinGD released the new on-engine configuration of its intelligent control by exhaust recycling (iCER) in May of this year.
The firm claims the new tech provides improved fuel efficiency in both gas and diesel modes and a 50 percent reduction in methane slip compared to the first-generation X-DF.
One order as part of QatarEnergy’s North Field East (NFE) program includes two 174,000-cbm LNG carriers Greece’s TMS Cardiff Gas ordered at Korean shipyard Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering (DSME).
WinGD says these two vessels would become the first ships built by DSME to feature on-engine iCER.
QatarEnergy has secured approximately 60 pefcent of the global LNG shipbuilding capacity through 2027 to cater for its growing LNG carrier fleet requirements, which could reach more than 100 new vessels.
A wide range of ship owners have tendered to build gas carriers that will go under long-term charters to QatarEnergy. The vessels will be delivered between 2023 and 2027.
WinGD added that its X72DF engine has become the standard for LNG carriers, with 224 in service and more than 130 engines on order.