Winterthur, Switzerland — WinGD — In a decisive step towards decarbonising its fleet, a leading Taiwanese container ship operator has placed multiple engine orders with Swiss marine power innovator WinGD, selecting methanol-fuelled and methanol-ready engine technologies for over 30 new container vessels. The agreement reflects growing momentum for alternative fuel adoption, driven by tightening international environmental regulations.
Methanol-Fuelled Engine Orders Span Over 30 Vessels
WinGD will supply its advanced XDF-M dual-fuel methanol engines and X-Engine methanol-ready designs across two distinct container vessel classes. The most recent order includes methanol-ready X92 engines for twelve 16,000 TEU container ships. This builds on an earlier order in 2025 for twenty 8,700 TEU vessels, where X82 methanol-ready engines were selected for fourteen ships, while the remaining six will feature X82DF-M dual-fuel methanol propulsion systems.
Regulatory Push: IMO’s Net Zero Framework and GFI Influence Orders
The decision to move forward with methanol propulsion was significantly influenced by developments at the International Maritime Organization’s (IMO) Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC) meeting in April. The committee’s approval of the Net Zero Framework and the GHG Fuel Intensity (GFI) Standard prompted the Taiwanese owner to shift from LNG dual-fuel concepts to methanol-fuel alternatives.
According to Volkmar Galke, Director of Sales at WinGD, this strategic pivot highlights the growing importance of regulatory compliance in shipowners’ fuelling strategies;
“Alongside engine capex and fuel efficiency, owners now need to consider which fuels they can access to in order to reduce IMO compliance costs. Our Taiwanese customer considered its fuelling strategy to reduce costs under the new GFI regime and we are glad that our engines will be part of their winning formula.”
Clean Fuel Adoption Signals Regulatory Effectiveness
WinGD CEO Dominik Schneiter welcomed the customer’s decision as a clear example of regulation driving real change in shipbuilding trends;
“The customer’s strategy of adopting zero or near-zero emission fuels illustrates the shift that effective regulation can bring and why it is critical that the industry does not lose momentum as the final, crucial elements of the GFI Standard pricing mechanism are decided.”
He emphasized that an effective reward mechanism—to help bridge the cost gap between fossil and clean fuels—will be critical to ensuring global decarbonisation targets are met.
WinGD Supports Flexible Fuel Pathways with Retrofit-Ready Designs
With a broad portfolio of dual-fuel and future-ready engines, WinGD is positioned to support any fuel pathway chosen by shipowners. Its:
- X-Engines (diesel-fuelled) are compatible with biodiesel,
- X-DF LNG engines support biomethane blends,
- X-DF-M methanol and X-DF-A ammonia engines (launching this year) are tailored for zero or near-zero emission (ZNZ) fuel use.
All WinGD engines are built on a modular, retrofit-ready platform, enabling seamless fuel transitions and long-term flexibility. The company is actively involved in methanol retrofit projects, leveraging OEM expertise and close partnerships with shipyards and engine builders.
About WinGD
WinGD (Winterthur Gas & Diesel Ltd.) leads the marine propulsion industry in low-speed, two-stroke engine innovation. Headquartered in Winterthur, Switzerland, and tracing its roots to Sulzer Diesel in 1893, WinGD champions decarbonisation through cutting-edge technology in emissions reduction, hybridisation, digital optimisation, and fuel flexibility.
Its engines are supported by Global Service by WinGD, providing 24/7 lifecycle support, rapid global service, genuine parts, and Swiss-engineered reliability. As the shipping industry transforms toward sustainability, WinGD remains at the forefront—powering vessels and progress.
Source Winterthur Gas & Diesel Ltd.