Swiss marine power company WinGD, in collaboration with EXMAR and HD Hyundai, has achieved a historic maritime milestone with the delivery of the ANTWERPEN, the world’s first ocean-going vessel powered by an ammonia-fueled engine. The 46,000 m³ gas carrier successfully completed rigorous sea trials in South Korea, proving that its zero-carbon X52DF-A dual-fuel propulsion system matches the efficiency and dynamic response of conventional diesel engines. This landmark delivery transitions ammonia from a theoretical future fuel into a commercial reality, backed by forty subsequent orders across multiple vessel segments geared toward the industry’s 2050 net-zero targets.
Antwerp | June 11, 2026 – The maritime industry’s transition toward absolute decarbonization has crossed from theoretical ambition into commercial reality. Swiss marine power giant WinGD, in collaboration with Belgian gas shipping and infrastructure pioneer EXMAR, has officially delivered the ANTWERPEN, the world’s first ocean-going vessel designed to operate on ammonia fuel.
The delivery follows the flawless completion of rigorous sea trials in South Korea, positioning the vessel as a historic vanguard for deep-sea shipping’s zero-carbon future.
A Trailblazing Maritime Coalition
The delivery of the ANTWERPEN is the culmination of an intensive, multi-year engineering and construction alliance. The project brought together a heavyweight coalition spanning the entire maritime value chain:
- WinGD: Designer and developer of the pioneering ammonia-fueled propulsion technology.
- EXMAR: The forward-thinking Belgian shipowner providing the asset and operational framework.
- HD Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI): The shipyard responsible for constructing the vessel.
- HD Hyundai Engine & Machinery Division (HHI EMD): The engine builder that brought WinGD’s designs to life.
The ANTWERPEN, a 46,000 m³ LPG/ammonia carrier, represents the first of a strategic four-vessel newbuild program for EXMAR. In a nod to the shipowner’s roots, each of the subsequent midsize dual-fuel gas carriers will be named after a Belgian city.
The real-world operational data harvested from the ANTWERPEN’s upcoming voyages is expected to serve as the global benchmark for ammonia bunkering, safety protocols, and fuel efficiency, injecting much-needed confidence into a market hungry for scalable zero-carbon alternatives.
The Antwerpen at a Glance
| Specification | Details |
| Vessel Type | Midsize LPG / Ammonia Carrier |
| Capacity | 46,000 m³ |
| Propulsion Plant | WinGD X52DF-A (Ammonia Dual-Fuel) |
| Pilot Fuel Ratio | 5% at full load |
| Series Scope | 1st of 4 sister vessels |
Engineering the Future: The X52DF-A Engine
At the heart of this technological leap is WinGD’s X52DF-A two-stroke engine. Ammonia (NH3) has long been touted as a premier contender for future fuel mixes because it contains zero carbon, carries low sulfur, and emits minimal particulate matter. However, its slow flame propagation speed and toxicity have historically presented steep engineering hurdles.
WinGD has bypassed these obstacles using a sophisticated high-pressure ammonia injection system. To initiate and stabilize combustion, the engine utilizes a highly targeted, low-dose pilot fuel mechanism, requiring a mere 5% pilot fuel injection at full load conditions.
From Factory Floor to the Open Ocean
The road to the June 2026 delivery was defined by a rapid, highly successful verification timeline:
- January 2026 (FAT & TAT): The engine underwent exhaustive Factory Acceptance Testing (FAT) and Type Approval Testing (TAT) at HHI-EMD’s facilities in South Korea. The tests were witnessed and validated by classification society Lloyd’s Register (LR), alongside representatives from all major international class societies and supervised closely by EXMAR.
- May 2026 (Sea Trials): The ANTWERPEN put out to sea in South Korea. The trials rigorously tested the propulsion system’s load handling, dynamic response, and thermal efficiency.
- June 2026 (Delivery): The vessel officially joined EXMAR’s fleet, proving that the technology performs on par with conventional, diesel-fueled X-engines across both ammonia and diesel operating modes.
Executive Perspectives
“We are proud to be part of delivering the world’s first ammonia-fuelled ocean-going vessel, a landmark achievement made possible through an intensive and highly collaborative development effort. 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.” said, Sebastian Hensel, Vice President R&D, WinGD Ltd.
“2026 has been a year of milestones for ammonia as a next-generation marine fuel… This follows many years of research, extensive testing and rigorous validation to overcome all the technical challenges and deliver a propulsion solution that is not only safe but delivers the emissions cuts this industry needs to meet its 2050 net zero target.” said, Sotiris Topaloglou, Global Head of Testing & Validation, WinGD Ltd.
“Ammonia propulsion is no longer theoretical, we are deploying it. Change comes through execution, not debate. This achievement reflects collective expertise and our commitment to drive sustainable shipping forward.” said, Carl-Antoine Saverys, Chief Executive Officer, EXMAR Group.
Commercial Momentum and the Road to 2050
The delivery of the ANTWERPEN is not a one-off experimental pilot; it marks the opening of the floodgates for commercial ammonia propulsion.
WinGD has already secured 40 firm orders for its X-DF-A engine series. Crucially, this order book spans multiple critical vessel segments, demonstrating that the maritime industry views ammonia as a versatile solution for a variety of ship types:
- Gas & Bulk Carriers (where early adoption is naturally aligned with existing cargo handling expertise)
- Crude and Product Tankers
- Large Container Vessels (the backbone of global consumer trade)
By proving that an alternative fuel can meet the rigid safety and operational standards of deep-sea shipping, the ANTWERPEN gives shipowners concrete, actionable options. The X52DF-A ensures immediate compliance with tightening international regulations, including the IMO’s carbon intensity indicators and the EU Emissions Trading System (EU ETS), while remaining fundamentally future-proof against upcoming absolute-zero mandates.
Legacy of Innovation
For WinGD, this milestone cements a legacy of propulsion evolution that traces its roots back to the Sulzer Diesel Engine business founded in Winterthur, Switzerland, in 1893. Over 130 years later, Swiss engineering excellence is no longer just optimizing the internal combustion engine, it is redefining the very fuel that drives global commerce toward a sustainable horizon.
WinGD in Brief
WinGD advances the decarbonization of marine transportation through sustainable energy systems, utilizing the most advanced technologies in emissions reduction, fuel efficiency, hybridization, and digital optimization. With its two-stroke, low-speed engines at the heart of the power equation, WinGD sets the industry standard for reliability, safety, efficiency, and environmental design; this is supported by Global Service by WinGD, which delivers tailored 24/7 lifecycle engine support through Swiss engineering excellence, dependable maintenance, rapid global response, and genuine parts to keep engines performing at their best. Headquartered in Winterthur, Switzerland, since its origin as the Sulzer Diesel Engine business in 1893, the company today is powering the transformation to a sustainable future.
Source: WinGD