Swiss marine power company WinGD has announced a pioneering collaboration with global shipping giant CMA CGM to trial its Variable Compression Ratio (VCR) technology on one of the company’s vessels. This marks the first-ever field test of the innovative dual-fuel engine technology, which has already demonstrated significant efficiency improvements in factory tests with both diesel and LNG fuels.
The VCR technology, developed by WinGD, dynamically adjusts the cylinder compression ratio in X-DF dual-fuel engines based on the selected fuel, ambient conditions, and engine load. This capability significantly reduces fuel consumption and greenhouse gas emissions, making it a game-changer in marine engine design. Traditionally, the compression ratio in marine engines is a fixed parameter, but WinGD’s VCR technology allows for real-time adjustments, marking a first in the industry.
The collaboration with CMA CGM will involve a long-term, full-scale test to assess the operability and reliability of the VCR technology under real-world conditions. The onboard testing is set to commence after the vessel undergoes dry-docking in September, during which the VCR system will be installed on the vessel’s WinGD RT-flex50DF dual-fuel engine.
CMA CGM is committed to achieving Net Zero Carbon by 2050 and is actively seeking sustainable solutions across its fleet, both for new builds and existing ships. The integration of WinGD’s VCR technology aligns with the company’s broader sustainability goals by offering a significant reduction in fuel consumption for dual-fuel engines.
Sebastian Hensel, Vice President of R&D at WinGD, emphasized the importance of partnerships with leading shipping companies like CMA CGM in validating new technologies. “Partnering with leading shipping companies is vital to prove the benefits of new technologies in real-life operating conditions. We applaud CMA CGM for their vision in promoting sustainable shipping and for recognizing the potential for VCR to further these ambitions,” said Hensel.
The VCR technology not only enhances operational flexibility and fuel efficiency but also contributes to reducing methane slip, a key challenge in the transition to decarbonized shipping. WinGD envisions that the adoption of synthetic or biomass-derived LNG, along with ongoing improvements in methane emissions from engines and across the fuel supply chain, will play a crucial role in the industry’s decarbonization efforts.
WinGD in Brief
WinGD is at the forefront of decarbonizing marine transportation through the development of sustainable energy systems that incorporate cutting-edge technologies in emissions reduction, fuel efficiency, hybridization, and digital optimization. With their two-stroke low-speed engines as the core of marine power systems, WinGD sets the industry benchmark for reliability, safety, efficiency, and environmental design. Founded in 1893 as the Sulzer Diesel Engine business, WinGD is headquartered in Winterthur, Switzerland, and continues to drive the maritime industry’s transition towards a sustainable future. WinGD is a member of the CSSC Group.
Source WinGD