WinGD secures first order for ethanol-fuelled marine engines

WinGD bags first order for ethanol marine engines

WINTERTHUR, May 20, 2026 – Swiss engine manufacturer Winterthur Gas and Diesel (WinGD) has secured its first order for ethanol-fuelled marine engines, which will be used to power two newbuild ore carriers, WinGD announced on Tuesday.

The two 325,000-dwt Newcastlemax vessels are being built for Chinese shipowner Shandong Shipping by Beihai Shipbuilding in China. They will be operated under long-term charter by Brazil-headquartered mining company Vale.

Each vessel will be fitted with a six-cylinder X-DF-M/E engine optimised to run primarily on ethanol fuel. The order includes options for additional engine deliveries if the vessel series is extended. Beihai Shipbuilding began substantive construction of the vessels in September 2025.

“These first ethanol-fuelled X-DF-M/E engines build on more than a decade of intensive investigation into alcohol fuels, including ethanol and methanol. Securing orders for a top-tier charterer and ship operator is the best possible validation of those efforts. This is a clear signal that the shipboard technology and fuel infrastructure around ethanol as a marine fuel are ready,” said Volkmar Galke, executive director of sales at WinGD.

Ethanol is gaining traction as a fuel in the shipping industry due to its widespread availability in markets such as Brazil, where the vessels will load iron ore for delivery to China. Vale estimates that ethanol can cut GHG emissions by around 90% compared with heavy fuel oil, depending on the fuel type and utilisation.

“The adoption of ethanol as an alternative fuel is part of Vale’s strategy to combine flexibility and efficiency in the ships that transport our ore,” added Rodrigo Bermelho, Vale’s director of shipping.

The engines are scheduled to be delivered at the shipyard in early 2029.

WinGD is headquartered in Winterthur, Switzerland. The company develops low-speed two-stroke marine engines and offers technical support services globally. Vale operates in 18 countries and combines mining, integrated logistics and energy generation in Brazil.

Illustrative photo courtesy of Vale

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