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• 2 min de lectura
The Swiss marine propulsion company WinGD will provide Polaris Shipping with four X72DF-M-1.0 engines, which can run on methanol and ethanol, for its future Newcastlemax fleet.
WinGD engines will power four 210,000 DWT ore carriers being built for Polaris Shipping at Qingdao Beihai Shipbuilding Heavy Industry Co in China, with delivery scheduled for 2031.
"Shipowners are looking for flexible solutions that help them achieve their decarbonization goals without compromising reliability, safety, or financial stability. Our alcohol engine platform allows vessels to operate on either ethanol or methanol, offering shipowners and managers the option to select the fuel that best suits their operational and commercial needs. As fuel markets and regulations continue to evolve, this flexibility can be a valuable asset throughout a vessel's lifespan," stated Carmelo Cartalemi, Head of Strategic Marketing at WinGD.
The X72DF-M1.0 engine can operate on both methanol and ethanol. This provides flexibility between both fuels, while maintaining compliance with applicable regulatory requirements for both.
WinGD will also provide specialized service and support throughout the lifecycle of the new alcohol fuels, helping shipowners and operators familiarize themselves with the technology, optimize operation and maintenance, and adopt methanol and ethanol propulsion safely and economically sustainably.
Polaris Shipping, for its part, indicated that "fuel availability and cost-effectiveness will continue to evolve over the lifespan of these vessels. Selecting an engine platform that allows us to access both methanol and ethanol means we can offer our customers greater flexibility in vessel operation in the future, rather than having to predict today which fuel will be most competitive in the coming years. We are investing for the long term, and this engine choice gives us the confidence to do so."
This order adds to WinGD's order book in alternative fuel engine technology, which now spans LNG, methanol, ethanol, and ammonia. The Beihai shipyard is also collaborating with WinGD on the installation of its ammonia engine for CMB Tech's new 210,000 DWT bulk carriers.
