Winterthur Gas & Diesel (WinGD) has been chosen as the main engine designer for six new very large crude carriers (VLCCs) ordered by Zodiac Maritime at Jiangsu Hantong Ship Heavy Industry. The partnership integrates advanced energy-saving propulsion technology and a new collaborative agreement focused on reducing carbon emissions and driving future fuel innovation.
London, UK | July 22, 2026 – In a milestone technical partnership for the crude oil tanker sector, Winterthur Gas & Diesel (WinGD) has been officially selected as the main engine designer for six very large crude carriers (VLCCs) ordered by Zodiac Maritime at Chinese shipbuilder Jiangsu Hantong Ship Heavy Industry.
The agreement anchors WinGD’s state-of-the-art low-speed two-stroke engine architecture into Zodiac’s high-capacity crude newbuildings, which form a centerpiece of the London-headquartered shipowner’s wide-ranging fleet renewal program.
High-Efficiency Propulsion for Late-Decade Tonnage
The partnership was formalized following high-level executive meetings at Zodiac Maritime’s London headquarters, bringing together key figures including WinGD CEO Dominik Schneiter, Zodiac COO Tanuj Luthra, WinGD Executive Director of Sales Volkmar Galke, and Zodiac Technical Head of Newbuilding Volkan Kocyigit.
Under the arrangement, WinGD’s advanced propulsion systems will drive the 300,000-dwt class VLCCs, optimized to maximize energy efficiency, slash greenhouse gas emissions per tonne-mile, and deliver second-to-none reliability.
“We are pleased to be working with a world-class engine designer whose expertise will help ensure that our newbuildings are equipped with the latest energy-saving technology, leading to reduced carbon emissions and second-to-none reliability,” Stated Zodiac Maritime.
Alongside the core engine specification, leadership teams signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) for closer collaboration. Discussions focused heavily on future fuels readiness, digital operational optimization, and rigorous quality assurance across the Jiangsu Hantong production lines.
Expanding an Industrial Footprint at Hantong
The WinGD propulsion contract highlights the immense scale of Zodiac Maritime’s capital deployment at Jiangsu Hantong. The UK’s largest shipowner has established a dominant presence at the yard, pairing its baseline commitment for up to ten VLCCs (part of a broader $1.6 billion package) with a subsequent order for four 158,000 dwt suezmax crude tankers slated for 2029 delivery.
With a diversified commercial fleet of approximately 200 vessels, comprising around 80 tankers spanning crude, product, gas, and chemical segments alongside container and vehicle carrier divisions, Zodiac’s overall newbuilding backlog has surpassed 50 ships. By integrating WinGD’s advanced engine design with Jiangsu Hantong’s late-decade construction slots, Zodiac is strategically positioning its crude fleet to outpace older global tonnage facing mandatory environmental surveys and recycling cycles.
WinGD in Brief
WinGD advances the decarbonization of marine transportation through sustainable energy systems, utilizing 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 hardware 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, WinGD continues to power the transformation toward a sustainable future.
About Zodiac Maritime
Headquartered in London and approaching its 50th anniversary, Zodiac Maritime is one of the world’s largest and most respected ship management companies, operating a diverse, multi-segment fleet of around 200 vessels exceeding 20 million DWT. Backed by a dedicated crew of over 6,500 seafarers, the company’s extensive commercial footprint spans containerships, bulk carriers, gas carriers, vehicle transporters, and crude and product tankers. Renowned for its multi-generational heritage and rigorous commitment to operational excellence, safety, and environmental responsibility, Zodiac continues to drive global trade while aggressively future-proofing its fleet through cutting-edge, eco-efficient newbuilding programmes.
Source: Zodiac Maritime