WinGD launch short-stroke engine design

WinGD has announced it will record the first installation of its new X‑S short‑stroke engine design following successful factory acceptance tests with engine builder Dalian Marine Diesel in March.

WinGD launch short-stroke engine design

The 6X62‑S2.0 engine, with a 62-centimetre bore and six cylinders, will power a new pulp carrier for a Chinese owner at COSCO Dalian shipyard.

Succeeding the RT‑flex50 and RT‑flex58 engines, the X‑S series comes in 52-centimetre and 62-centimetre bore sizes, offering fuel flexibility including traditional diesel, LNG, methanol, and ammonia.

WinGD states that the X‑S engines boast a compact design and superior fuel efficiency, about 10 g/kWh lower than comparable RT‑flex engines, saving around 4 per cent depending on usage.

With its shorter stroke and higher engine speeds, the X‑S series reportedly allows for smaller propellers while maintaining power, making it suitable for vessels with shallow drafts or limited height constraints.

WinGD said its engines cater not only to current short‑stroke engine users like container feeders and car carriers but also to bulk carriers and tankers that do not require larger bore sizes.

Additionally, the X‑S engines offer reduced operating costs due to their robust yet lightweight design, simplified maintenance, and extended time between overhauls compared to previous short‑stroke engines.

For dual-fuel X‑S engines, intelligent control by exhaust recycling (iCER) enables fuel savings and compliance with Tier III NOx standards in both gas and diesel modes, while also reducing methane slip when using LNG.

WinGD Director Sales, Volkmar Galke, said: “The factory test for our first X‑S engine confirms that this new generation of short‑stroke engines delivers outstanding value for ship operators, providing significant operating cost advantages while enabling high efficiency in compact ship designs.

“We anticipate strong uptake as the global fleet of merchant vessels using short‑stroke engines is renewed and prepares for future regulation demands.”

Late last year, WinGD concluded an agreement with Mitsui E&S Diesel United (MESDU) that will see WinGD engines being built at its main Tamano works for the first time.

More recently, WinGD, and Japanese shipbuilder and technology developer, Mitsubishi Shipbuilding Co., Ltd., completed the initial design of an ammonia fuel supply system (AFSS) for vessels powered by WinGD’s X DF A ammonia-fueled engines.